帯びる

• Reading: おびる
• Romaji: obiru
• Kanji breakdown: 帯 (tai/o) — belt, sash, wear, carry
• Pronunciation: /o.bi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To wear (a sword, badge, etc.); to carry; to bear. Also means to take on a quality or characteristic.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb with both literal and figurative uses. Literally means to wear something at the waist (a sword, tool). Figuratively, it means to take on or be tinged with a quality: 赤みを帯びる (take on a reddish hue), 緊張を帯びる (become tense). The figurative use is more common in modern Japanese.

Examples

1. 空が赤みを帯びて夕焼けが美しかった。 The sky took on a reddish hue, and the sunset was beautiful.
2. 会議の雰囲気は次第に緊張を帯びてきた。 The atmosphere of the meeting gradually grew tense.
3. 彼の声は怒りを帯びていた。 His voice was tinged with anger.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, description, formal writing

Tone: literary

Origin & History

The kanji 帯 originally depicted a belt or sash worn around the waist, with cloth (巾) wrapped around the body. Extended metaphorically to mean carrying or bearing any quality.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal