抱える

• Reading: かかえる
• Romaji: kakaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 抱 (kaka/hou) — embrace, hold in arms
• Pronunciation: /ka.ka.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To hold in one's arms; to carry; to have (a problem or burden). Physically carrying something large or bearing an abstract burden.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb conjugated by dropping る. Has both physical and figurative uses. Physical: carrying a large object in both arms (荷物を抱える). Figurative: having problems (問題を抱える), having employees (社員を抱える), bearing worries (不安を抱える). The figurative sense of carrying burdens is extremely common in everyday Japanese.

Examples

1. 大きな荷物を抱えて階段を上った。 I lugged a big package up the stairs.
2. 彼はたくさんの悩みを抱えている。 He's carrying a lot of worries.
3. この会社は三百人の社員を抱えている。 This company has three hundred employees.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, business, emotions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 抱 combines hand (扌) and wrap/embrace (包), creating 'to wrap with hands' — the physical act of encircling something with one's arms. Extended naturally to encompass abstract burdens held within.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal