Translation guide
How to express the idea of taking action or measures to achieve a goal or prevent something in Japanese.
To take concrete actions or measures to deal with a situation or achieve something.
A formal and common phrase meaning 'to take measures'. Suitable for business, official, or serious contexts.
政府は感染拡大を防ぐために措置を取った。
The government took steps to prevent the spread of infection.
Means 'to take measures' or 'to implement countermeasures'. Often used in business, policy, or problem-solving contexts.
会社はセキュリティ対策を講じた。
The company took steps to improve security.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to take action' or 'to deal with a situation'. Implies a proactive response, often in business or personal matters.
Literally 'to take action'. A straightforward way to say you are starting to do something about a situation.
環境問題に対して、私たちは行動を起こす必要がある。
We need to take steps regarding environmental issues.
To physically take steps, as in walking.
A literary expression meaning 'to take a step forward' or 'to advance'. Used in poetic or formal descriptions of walking.
彼は静かに歩を進めた。
He quietly took steps forward.
Both mean 'to take measures', but 措置を取る is more general and can refer to any kind of measure, while 対策を講じる specifically implies countermeasures against a problem or threat. 対策を講じる is often used in risk management or security contexts.
安全のための措置を取る
take safety measures
サイバー攻撃への対策を講じる
take measures against cyber attacks
The English phrase 'take steps' is almost never translated literally as 歩みを取る or similar. Use the idiomatic expressions above for the figurative meaning. For literal walking, use 歩く (あるく) or 歩み (あゆみ) in appropriate contexts.
If we don't take steps early, the problem will get bigger.
Means 'to take a step' (literally or figuratively). Often used metaphorically for starting something new, but can be literal.
赤ちゃんが初めて一歩を踏み出した。
The baby took its first step.