取(と)り合(あ)う

とりあう
godan verb
to compete for; to pay attention to
1. to compete for, to scramble for, to vie for
Multiple parties trying to obtain the same thing. Implies rivalry or contention.
席(せき)を取(と)り合(あ)う。
To compete for seats.
子(こ)どもたちがお菓子(かし)を取(と)り合(あ)った。
The children scrambled for the sweets.
限定(げんてい)品(ひん)を取(と)り合(あ)う客(きゃく)で店(みせ)は大混雑(だいこんざつ)だった。
The store was packed with customers vying for the limited-edition item.
2. to pay attention to, to take seriously, to deal with
To respond to or engage with someone or something. Most commonly used in the negative form 取(と)り合(あ)わない (to not take seriously, to ignore).
相手(あいて)にしない、取(と)り合(あ)わない。
Don't engage with them, don't pay them attention.
苦情(くじょう)に取(と)り合(あ)ってもらえなかった。
My complaint was not taken seriously.
何度(なんど)電話(でんわ)しても取(と)り合(あ)ってくれないので、直接(ちょくせつ)訪問(ほうもん)することにした。
Since they wouldn't deal with me no matter how many times I called, I decided to visit in person.

USAGE:
Sense 2 is most commonly used in the negative: 取(と)り合(あ)わない means to refuse to engage, to not take seriously. The positive form in sense 2 is less common and appears mostly in requests or complaints.

CONJUGATION:

Godan verb (五段動詞(ごだんどうし)), う-ending.

  • Negative: 取(と)り合(あ)わない
  • Polite: 取(と)り合(あ)います
  • Te-form: 取(と)り合(あ)って
  • Past: 取(と)り合(あ)った

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 席(せき)を取(と)り合(あ)う: to compete for seats
  • 取(と)り合(あ)わない: to not take seriously, to ignore
  • まともに取(と)り合(あ)わない: to not engage seriously
general
Added 2026.2.19 20:43 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
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