| Expression | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 手柄を取る | tegara wo toru | To take credit / to claim the achievement |
| 手柄 | tegara | Achievement / credit / meritorious deed |
| 手柄を立てる | tegara wo tateru | To accomplish a meritorious deed / to distinguish oneself |
| 手柄を横取りする | tegara wo yokodori suru | To steal credit for someone else’s work |
YukaWhat does 手柄を取る mean? I saw it in a drama and someone looked very smug saying it.
Rei手柄を取る means “to take credit” for an achievement — often with a nuance of claiming it for yourself, sometimes at others’ expense. 手柄 itself is a meritorious deed or achievement!
What Is 手柄 (tegara)?
手柄 is a noun meaning a meritorious deed, achievement, or credit. It originally referred to a brave or distinguished act — something worth praising or rewarding. Today it is used in both literal and figurative senses.
- これは私の手柄だ。 — This is my achievement / credit.
- 手柄を立てた。 — I distinguished myself / accomplished something meritorious.
- 手柄を横取りされた。 — My credit was stolen.
- 上司が部下の手柄を取った。 — The boss took credit for the subordinate’s work.
How to Use 手柄を取る
手柄を取る can mean “to earn credit” (neutral) or “to take/claim credit” (often with a self-serving nuance). Context determines whether it is positive or negative.
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 手柄を取る | Claim credit (neutral to self-serving) | 手柄を取ろうとしている (trying to take credit) |
| 手柄を立てる | Earn credit through a brave/good deed | 警察が手柄を立てた (the police distinguished themselves) |
| 手柄を横取りする | Steal credit | 上司が手柄を横取りした (the boss stole credit) |
| 手柄顔をする | To look smug about one’s achievement | 手柄顔で話す (talking with a smug look) |
YukaIs 手柄を取る always negative?
ReiNot always! 手柄を取る just means “to get the credit.” It becomes negative in context — like 人の手柄を取る (taking someone else’s credit). But 自分の手柄を取る is just “claiming what’s rightfully yours.”
Related Expressions
- 手柄話 (tegara banashi) — A story about one’s own achievement (can sound boastful)
- 手柄顔 (tegara gao) — A smug or proud face after an achievement
- 功績 (kouseki) — Achievement, contribution (more formal/formal writing)
- 功労 (kourou) — Meritorious service (especially long-term contribution)
Quick Quiz
Translate or fill in:
- 1. 彼はいつも人の___を取ろうとする。 (He always tries to take credit for others’ work.)
- 2. 今回の成功は彼女の___だ。 (This success is her achievement.)
- 3. 部下の___を横取りしてはいけない。 (You must not steal your subordinate’s credit.)
Answers: 1. 手柄 2. 手柄 3. 手柄
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Summary
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 手柄を取る | To take/claim credit |
| 手柄を立てる | To earn merit / distinguish oneself |
| 手柄を横取りする | To steal someone else’s credit |
| 手柄顔をする | To look smug about one’s deed |
