預ける

• Reading: あずける
• Romaji: azukeru
• Kanji breakdown: 預 (azu) — deposit, entrust, custody
• Pronunciation: /a.zɯ.ke.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To give into custody; to deposit; to entrust. To leave something in someone else's care.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. The giver-side counterpart of 預かる (to keep for someone). Used for bank deposits (お金を預ける), leaving luggage (荷物を預ける), and entrusting children to daycare. Conjugates by dropping る: 預けて, 預けた, 預けます.

Examples

1. 銀行にお金を預けている。 I have money deposited in the bank.
2. 子供を保育園に預けて仕事に行く。 I drop my child off at daycare and go to work.
3. コインロッカーに荷物を預けた。 I put my luggage in a coin locker.

Usage Guide

Context: banking, childcare, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 預 (azu, to entrust/deposit) with the ichidan verb ending -keru, indicating performing an action. Part of the 預かる/預ける transitive pair.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal