1.
to tackle; to work on
To engage seriously with a problem, task, or project.
問題に取り組む。
To tackle a problem.
新しいプロジェクトに取り組んでいる。
I'm working on a new project.
環境問題に真剣に取り組む必要がある。
We need to seriously tackle environmental issues.
会社は働き方改革に積極的に取り組んでいる。
The company is actively working on work-style reform.
学生たちは先生の指導のもと、難しい課題に取り組んで成果を出した。
Under the teacher's guidance, the students tackled difficult assignments and produced results.
2.
to grapple; to wrestle
Originally from sumo, meaning to engage in a match. Now mostly used figuratively.
力士が取り組む。
The sumo wrestlers grapple.
二人の力士が土俵の上で取り組んだ。
Two sumo wrestlers grappled on the ring.
今日の取り組みは見ごたえがあった。
Today's bout was worth watching.
取り組み is the noun form meaning 'bout' or 'match' in sumo.
横綱と大関が取り組む試合は、いつも観客で満員になる。
Matches where the yokozuna and ozeki grapple are always packed with spectators.
若い力士たちが稽古で何度も取り組んで、技を磨いている。
Young sumo wrestlers grapple repeatedly in practice, honing their techniques.
取り組む is an intransitive verb (自動詞) formed from 取る (to take) + 組む (to grapple). Originally a sumo term, it now mainly means to engage seriously with tasks or problems.
ASPECT (ている):
取り組んでいる indicates ongoing engagement with a task or problem. This is the most common form.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- [problem/task]に取り組む — to tackle/work on [problem/task]
- [problem]に真剣に取り組む — to seriously tackle [problem]
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 課題に取り組む (work on a task/challenge)
- 問題に取り組む (tackle a problem)
- 研究に取り組む (engage in research)
- 改革に取り組む (work on reform)
NOTE: Takes the particle に, not を, because it's intransitive.