タクト

たくと
noun
(conductor's) baton; leadership
music
1. conductor's baton
The thin stick used by an orchestra or choir conductor to keep time and direct the ensemble. The Japanese word is borrowed from German 'Taktstock' ('beat stick'), shortened to タクト.
指揮者(しきしゃ)がタクトを振(ふ)る。
The conductor waves the baton.
タクトの先(さき)が繊細(せんさい)に動(うご)く。
The tip of the baton moves delicately.
有名(ゆうめい)な指揮者(しきしゃ)のタクトで演奏(えんそう)できるのは、オーケストラにとって光栄(こうえい)なことだ。
It is an honor for an orchestra to perform under the baton of a famous conductor.
2. leadership; direction; command (figurative)
By metaphorical extension, the act of leading or directing a group or project. Most common in the set phrases タクトを振(ふ)る ('to take the lead; to direct') and 指揮(しき)のタクト.
社長(しゃちょう)がタクトを振(ふ)ってチームをまとめる。
The president takes the lead and brings the team together.
プロジェクトのタクトを振(ふ)るのは誰(だれ)ですか。
Who is directing the project?
新(あたら)しい監督(かんとく)がタクトを振(ふ)るようになってから、チームは見違(みちが)えるほど強(つよ)くなった。
Since the new manager took the helm, the team has become remarkably stronger.

Loanword from German 'Taktstock' ('beat stick'), shortened to タクト in Japanese. Written in katakana. The phrase タクトを振(ふ)る ('to wave the baton') is the overwhelmingly dominant collocation and is used in both the literal (conducting) and figurative (leading) senses.

Usage

  • Sense 1 is limited to contexts of classical music, choirs, and marching bands.
  • Sense 2 is widespread in news and business writing: a politician, executive, or manager takes 'the baton' of a policy, project, or team. Sports commentary also uses it for team captains and managers.
  • Not generally used for other kinds of batons (relay races use バトン).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 指揮棒(しきぼう): conductor's baton — Japanese compound; more technical and less common than タクト in speech.
  • バトン: baton — used for relay-race batons and police batons; not for conducting.
  • 指揮(しき): command; conducting — the general noun for directing or conducting.

Related Words

Compare: 指揮棒(しきぼう) (conductor's baton)
Compare: バトン (baton)
Compare: 指揮(しき) (command)
Related: 指揮者(しきしゃ) (conductor (music))
general
Added 2026.4.16 2:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
23500/23985_takuto