抱える|かかえるkakaeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto hold in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to carry under one's arm; to hold (one's head) in one's hands
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto have (problems, debts, etc.); to take on (a responsibility); to be burdened with (e.g. care of a family member); to have (children, etc.) to provide for
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto employ; to have (on one's staff); to hire
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 抱える（かかえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 抱えます（かかえます） |
| Negative (nai) | 抱えない（かかえない） |
| polite (masen) | 抱えません（かかえません） |
| classical zu / nu | 抱えず・抱えぬ（かかえず・かかえぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 抱えた（かかえた） |
| polite (mashita) | 抱えました（かかえました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 抱えなかった（かかえなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 抱えませんでした（かかえませんでした） |
| Te form | 抱えて（かかえて） |
| Potential | 抱えられる（かかえられる） |
| Passive | 抱えられる（かかえられる） |
| Causative | 抱えさせる（かかえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 抱えさせられる（かかえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 抱えれば（かかえれば） |
| tara | 抱えたら（かかえたら） |
| Volitional | 抱えよう（かかえよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 抱えましょう（かかえましょう） |
| Imperative | 抱えろ（かかえろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym持つもつNeutralThe broadest word for holding or having. 抱える leans toward carrying something in your arms or taking on troubles.
- Synonym抱くいだくWrittenWritten word for holding someone in your arms or harbouring thoughts and feelings, as in 「疑問を抱く」. 抱える mostly refers to bearing burdens.
- Synonym擁するようするWrittenFormal written word for possessing or commanding, as in 「大軍を擁する」, with a nuance of power or influence. 抱える is about holding or being burdened.
- Related有するゆうするWrittenFormal written word for having or possessing, as in 「権利を有する」. 抱える centres on holding something in one's arms or bearing problems and burdens.
- Antonym放すはなすNeutralMeans to release or let go of something you are holding — the opposite of 抱える's holding in the arms.
- Antonym手放すてばなすNeutralMeans to let go of or part with something you have, as in 「家を手放す」 — the opposite of 抱える's holding or keeping.
Use 「抱える」 for holding something in your arms or bearing problems, debts or responsibilities. For simply holding or having, pick 「持つ」; for harbouring feelings, 「抱く」; in formal writing for possessing, 「有する」 or 「擁する」. The opposite is 「手放す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
