Translation guide
Expresses participation in an event, activity, or group. The most common Japanese equivalents are 参加する (sanka suru) for formal participation and 出る (deru) for appearing in events. For joining a group or becoming a member, 入る (hairu) or 加わる (kuwawaru) are used.
To be involved in an organized event, meeting, competition, or activity.
多くの国がオリンピックに参加した。
Many countries took part in the Olympics.
Literally 'to go out' or 'to appear', but commonly used for taking part in events, especially performances, competitions, or TV/radio programs. Uses the particle に.
彼はテレビ番組に出た。
He took part in a TV program.
マラソンに出るつもりです。
I plan to take part in a marathon.
A more formal term implying active involvement in planning or decision-making, often used in business or project contexts.
プロジェクトに参画する。
To take part in a project (with active involvement).
To become a member of a group, team, or organization.
Means 'to enter' or 'to join'. Used for joining clubs, teams, companies, etc. Takes the particle に.
サークルに入りたい。
I want to take part in a club.
彼は野球チームに入った。
He took part in the baseball team (joined).
Means 'to join' or 'to be added to' a group or activity. Often implies joining an existing group. Takes the particle に.
Also used for joining groups, but more formal than 入る. Often used for joining organizations or movements.
ボランティア団体に参加する。
To take part in a volunteer organization.
To participate in a collaborative effort, discussion, or process.
Means 'to be engaged in' or 'to take part in' a project, work, or activity, often with a sense of professional involvement. Takes the particle に.
彼は教育に携わっている。
He takes part in education (is involved in education).
このプロジェクトに携わることができて光栄です。
I am honored to take part in this project.
Means 'to be involved in' or 'to be connected with'. Can be used for both positive and negative involvement. Takes the particle に.
Can also be used for involvement in activities, but is more general.
清掃活動に参加する。
To take part in a cleanup activity.
参加する is the standard word for 'participate' and can be used in most contexts. 出る is more casual and often used for appearing in events, performances, or competitions. For example, 会議に参加する (participate in a meeting) is natural, but 会議に出る is also common and slightly more casual. However, オリンピックに出る (take part in the Olympics as an athlete) is more natural than 参加する, which might sound like you are just attending.
Do not translate 'take part in' literally as 部分を取る or similar. It is not idiomatic in Japanese. Use the verbs listed above.
お祭りに参加しますか。
Are you going to take part in the festival?
彼女は議論に加わった。
She took part in the discussion.
多くの学生が部活動に参加している。
Many students take part in club activities.
May I take part in the conversation?
新しいメンバーがチームに加わった。
A new member took part in the team (joined).
事件に関わっている。
He is taking part in the incident (involved).
地域活動に関わる。
To take part in community activities.