裏付け

• Reading: うらづけ
• Romaji: urazuke
• Kanji breakdown: 裏 (ura) — back, reverse side | 付 (zu) — attach, back
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɾa.zɯ.ke/

Meaning

Backing; support; corroboration; evidence that confirms or substantiates a claim.

Used as a noun or suru-verb (裏付ける — to substantiate, corroborate). Signals that a claim is not merely asserted but confirmed by evidence or backing. Very common in legal, journalistic, and academic contexts. The opposite concept is 根拠がない (unsubstantiated).

Examples

1. 仮説を裏付けるデータが、ようやく集まってきた。 Data to substantiate the hypothesis has finally begun to accumulate.
2. 証言には物的な裏付けがなく、証拠としては弱いと判断された。 The testimony was judged to be weak as evidence because it lacked physical corroboration.
3. 理論の裏付けとなる実験結果が次々と報告されている。 Experimental results supporting the theory are being reported one after another.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, journalism, academic research, business

Tone: analytical

Origin & History

Compound of 裏 (ura) meaning 'back, reverse side' and 付け (tsuke) meaning 'attaching, backing'. The image is of reinforcing something from behind, like lining a garment for strength.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional