補う

• Reading: おぎなう
• Romaji: oginau
• Kanji breakdown: 補 (ho/ogina) — to supplement, to compensate
• Pronunciation: /o.ɡi.na.ɯ/

Meaning

To supplement; to make up for; to compensate. Used when filling a gap or shortage.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the う row. Used for compensating deficiencies, supplementing nutrition, or making up for losses. Related to nouns like 補足 (supplement) and 補給 (supply/replenishment). Common in health, business, and everyday contexts.

Examples

1. 野菜を食べてビタミンを補う必要がある。 You need to eat vegetables to supplement your vitamins.
2. 経験の不足を努力で補った。 He made up for his lack of experience with hard work.
3. 足りない分は貯金から補うつもりだ。 I plan to cover the shortfall from my savings.

Usage Guide

Context: health, business, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 補 combines 衤 (clothing radical) and 甫 (seedbed), originally meaning to patch or mend clothing, extended to supplementing in general.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal