取とりなす

と

り

な

す

Meanings

1

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

mediate; intervene; smooth things over

usually written using kana alone

Used when someone steps in to resolve a conflict, calm a tense situation, or help communication between parties. Often implies tactful intervention.

彼かれが二人ふたりの間あいだを取とりなしてくれた。
He mediated between the two of them.

上じょう司しがうまく取とりなして、会かい議ぎは穏おだやかに終おわった。

The boss smoothed things over skillfully, and the meeting ended calmly.

Written forms

取とりなすUsage16%
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; widely used and clear.
とりなすUsage69%
Kana-only spelling is common and often preferred in everyday writing.
執とり成なすUsage8%
Formal or literary variant using 執; may appear in ceremonial or written contexts.
取とり成なすUsage6%
Alternate kanji spelling using 成; less common but still seen.

Kanji

取take, fetch, take up
執tenacious, take hold, grasp
成turn into, become, get

Similar words

仲ちゅう裁さいする
仲裁する is more formal and often used for official dispute resolution, while 取りなす is softer and implies personal, tactful intervention in everyday situations.
仲ちゅう介かいする
仲介する focuses on acting as an intermediary or go-between, often in business or formal arrangements; 取りなす emphasizes smoothing over a difficult interaction.

Etymology

Compound of 取り (from 取る, 'to take') and 成す ('to accomplish' or 'to form'), literally 'to take and make happen'. The meaning of mediating or smoothing over developed from the idea of handling a situation to bring about a favorable outcome.