携える

• Reading: たずさえる
• Romaji: tazusaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 携 (kei/tazusa) — to carry, to bring, to accompany
• Pronunciation: /ta.zɯ.sa.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To carry with one; to take along; to bring; to go together with someone.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb expressing the act of carrying something on one's person or going somewhere accompanied by someone. It can describe both carrying objects (e.g., a letter, a weapon, provisions) and going hand-in-hand with a person. At N1 level it often appears in formal and literary contexts, conveying a deliberate, purposeful accompanying rather than casual carrying.

Examples

1. 外交官は重要な文書を携えて首都へ向かい、交渉に臨んだ。 The diplomat set off for the capital carrying important documents, ready to enter the negotiations.
2. 彼女は家族を携えて故郷に帰省し、墓前に手を合わせた。 She returned to her hometown accompanied by her family and paid her respects at the family grave.
3. 旅人は必要最低限の荷物だけを携え、長い旅路へと踏み出した。 The traveller set out on the long journey carrying only the bare minimum of belongings.

Usage Guide

Context: formal prose, diplomacy, travel, historical narratives

Tone: formal

Origin & History

From classical Japanese 携ふ. The kanji 携 combines 手 (hand) with a phonetic component, conveying the image of holding or carrying something in the hand.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal