Translation and Meaning of: 乗っ取る - nottoru

The Japanese word 乗っ取る (のっとる, nottoru) carries an intense and specific meaning, often associated with actions of domination or forced control. If you are looking to understand its usage, translation, or origin, this article will explore essential details, from the composition of the kanji to the cultural context in which the word appears. Furthermore, we will see how it is perceived in Japan and tips for memorizing it effectively.

Meaning and usage of 乗っ取る

乗っ取る is a verb that means "to take by force," "to hijack," or "to assume control of something in a violent or illegitimate manner." It is used in situations like vehicle theft, system intrusion, or even power takeover in political or corporate contexts. The word conveys a sense of abrupt and non-consensual action, which distinguishes it from more neutral terms like 取る (to take).

A common example is its use in news about hackers: "サイバー攻撃でシステムが乗っ取られた" (The system was compromised by a cyber attack). In this case, the word reinforces the idea of violation and undue control. It's worth noting that, although it is a strong term, it is not considered extremely rare in everyday Japanese, appearing in discussions about security and conflicts.

Origin and composition of kanji

The writing of 乗っ取る combines two kanjis: 乗 (jō, nori), which means "to board" or "to mount," and 取 (shu, toru), which means "to take" or "to grab." Together, they form the idea of "taking control" of something, often with a negative connotation. It is interesting to note that the verb is a colloquial form of 乗っ取る, with the small っ (tsu) representing a glottal pause, emphasizing the action.

The kanji 乗 also appears in words like 乗車 (jōsha, boarding) and 乗り物 (norimono, vehicle), while 取 is common in terms such as 取引 (torihiki, transaction) and 取材 (shuzai, gathering information). This relationship helps to understand why 乗っ取る carries the notion of "invading" or "dominating" a space or system.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to remember 乗っ取る is to associate it with "hijack" situations in English, as both involve forced control. Another tip is to think of the act of "getting on" (乗) something to "take" (取) possession of it, like a pirate boarding a ship. This mental image can make memorization easier.

Interestingly, the word is often used in fiction narratives, such as animes and mangas that involve conspiracies or schemes. For example, in "攻殻機動隊" (Ghost in the Shell), the term appears in contexts of cyber invasion. This media usage reinforces its association with technology and conflict, making it more recognizable to Japanese language learners.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 乗っ取る

• 乗っ取られる - passive form
• 乗っ取ります - Affirmative form
• 乗っ取らない - negative form
• 乗っ取れば conditional form

Synonyms and similar words

• 奪う (ubau) - Take, steal (usually violently or against the will of the other)
• 支配する (shihai suru) - Control, dominate (in the sense of exercising power or authority over something or someone)
• 占拠する (senkyo suru) - Occupy, take possession (usually of a space or place)
• 独占する (dokusen suru) - Monopolize, occupy exclusively (restricting others' access)
• 取り上げる (toriageru) - To take something from someone, to confiscate it (usually in a context of authority)

乗っ取る

Romaji: nottoru
Kana: のっとる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: capture; to occupy; usurp

Meaning in English: to capture;to occupy;to usurp

Definition: To control someone or something by force.

Example Sentences - (乗っ取る) nottoru

See below some example sentences:

彼らは会社を乗っ取った。

Karera wa kaisha o nottoriotta

They took over the company.

They took over the company.

• 彼ら - Japanese pronoun meaning "they"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 会社 - Japanese noun meaning "company"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 乗っ取った - Japanese verb in the past meaning "took possession of"