頭をかかえる

• Reading: あたまをかかえる
• Romaji: atama wo kakaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 頭 (tō/atama) — head
• Pronunciation: /a.ta.ma.o.ka.ka.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be at wits' end; to be greatly perplexed. The image of holding one's head in one's hands from worry or confusion.

An idiomatic expression using Group 2 (ichidan) verb かかえる (抱える, to hold). Describes the physical gesture of clutching one's head when overwhelmed by a difficult problem. Used for serious worries rather than minor inconveniences.

Examples

1. 借金の問題に頭をかかえている。 I'm at my wits' end over the debt problem.
2. 人手不足で経営者は頭をかかえた。 The manager was at his wits' end due to a staff shortage.
3. 子供の反抗期に頭をかかえる親は多い。 Many parents are at their wits' end during their child's rebellious phase.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, business, family

Tone: troubled

Origin & History

A figurative expression from the literal gesture of holding (抱える) one's head (頭) in distress. This universal body language of worry became codified as an idiom in Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal