支える|ささえるsasaeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto support; to prop; to sustain; to underlay; to hold up; to defend
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto hold at bay; to stem; to check
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 支える（ささえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 支えます（ささえます） |
| Negative (nai) | 支えない（ささえない） |
| polite (masen) | 支えません（ささえません） |
| classical zu / nu | 支えず・支えぬ（ささえず・ささえぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 支えた（ささえた） |
| polite (mashita) | 支えました（ささえました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 支えなかった（ささえなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 支えませんでした（ささえませんでした） |
| Te form | 支えて（ささえて） |
| Potential | 支えられる（ささえられる） |
| Passive | 支えられる（ささえられる） |
| Causative | 支えさせる（ささえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 支えさせられる（ささえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 支えれば（ささえれば） |
| tara | 支えたら（ささえたら） |
| Volitional | 支えよう（ささえよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 支えましょう（ささえましょう） |
| Imperative | 支えろ（ささえろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym支持しじNeutralA noun for endorsing or backing a person or idea, as in 「内閣支持率」. 「支える」 focuses on physically holding something up or supporting someone through hardship.
- SynonymサポートNeutralA loanword for assistance or technical support, as in 「サポートセンター」. 「支える」 carries a stronger image of propping something up so it does not fall.
- Related維持いじNeutralKeeping some level from dropping, as in 「健康を維持する」. 「支える」 focuses on propping something up from the side to keep it from collapsing.
- Related支援しえんNeutralGiving aid with money, effort or resources, as in 「被災地支援」. 「支える」 focuses on holding something up or supporting someone in hard times.
- Related後援こうえんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Backing or sponsoring from behind, common for event organizers, as in 「後援会」. 「支える」 is broader in use.
- Related補助ほじょNeutralAssistance that fills in what is lacking, or a subsidy or grant. 「支える」 focuses on holding up the whole.
- Related保持ほじWrittenWritten/formal prose. Keeping a state or record intact, as in 「記録保持者」. 「支える」 focuses on propping up or supporting.
- Related持つもつNeutralIn the sense of holding up, it means something lasts or holds out, as in 「体が持たない」. 「支える」 focuses on actively supporting.
- Related擁護ようごWrittenWritten/formal prose. Defending or standing up for rights or positions, as in 「人権擁護」. 「支える」 focuses on physical or general support.
- Related扶養ふようNeutralSpecifically supporting family members financially, as in 「扶養家族」. 「支える」 can also mean emotional or physical support.
- Related保つたもつNeutralKeeping a state unchanged, as in 「温度を保つ」. 「支える」 focuses on propping something up so it does not fall.
- Related扶助ふじょWrittenWritten/formal prose. Aid, especially state relief for people with no one to depend on, as in 「生活扶助」.
- Related後押しあとおしNeutralA push from behind, figuratively encouraging or spurring someone on, as in 「背中を後押しする」. 「支える」 suggests ongoing support.
- Related養うやしなうNeutralRaising or providing for someone, and also cultivating an ability, as in 「力を養う」. 「支える」 focuses on supporting or holding up.
- RelatedかばうNeutralShielding someone from harm or blame, as in 「仲間を庇う」. 「支える」 focuses on holding something up.
- Antonym崩すくずすNeutralThe opposite of 「支える」 in maintaining versus destroying: to break something down or upset its balance.
- Antonym倒すたおすNeutralThe opposite of 「支える」 in standing versus falling: to knock down, fell or overthrow.
- Antonym転かすこかすCasualColloquial, with a Kansai flavor: to knock something over. The opposite of 「支える」 in standing versus falling.
Use 「支える」 for propping something up so it does not fall, or supporting someone through hardship. For endorsing a person or idea use 「支持」; for giving aid use 「支援」 or 「サポート」; for keeping a level or state use 「維持」 or 「保つ」; for financial support of family use 「扶養」 or 「養う」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
