取り次ぐ

とりつぐ

to act as an agent for, to announce (someone), to convey (a message)

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 取り次ぐ (とりつぐ) primarily means to act as an intermediary or agent, especially in communication contexts. It often involves conveying messages, transferring calls, or announcing someone to another party.

Common Contexts

You will frequently encounter 取り次ぐ in business or formal settings, such as secretaries relaying schedules, receptionists transferring phone calls, or assistants passing on messages to superiors.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 電話を取り次ぐ: to transfer or answer a phone call
  • 伝言を取り次ぐ: to convey a message
  • スケジュールを取り次ぐ: to manage or relay a schedule

These collocations highlight the role of 取り次ぐ as a mediator or communicator between people.

Register and Politeness

取り次ぐ is generally used in formal or business contexts. It is polite but not overly honorific, suitable for professional communication.

Common Learner Notes

Learners sometimes confuse 取り次ぐ with 伝える (to convey) or 連絡する (to contact). While similar, 取り次ぐ implies acting as an intermediary, often involving a third party or formal channel, rather than just direct communication.

Example Sentences

ひしょがしゃちょうのスケジュールをとりついだ。

The secretary acted as an agent for the president's schedule.

でんわをとりつぐのはうけつけのしごとです。

Answering and transferring calls is the receptionist's job.

かれはじょうしにわたしのでんごんをとりついでくれた。

He conveyed my message to the boss.