Japanese word

かばう

Pronunciation

Romajikabau

Meaning

  • verbdefend

Example

彼は失敗した友達をかばいます。kare wa ship pai shi ta tomo dachi o ka ba i ma su

He defends his friend who made a mistake.

Illustration for かばう (defend)

More examples

姉は弟が叱られないようにかばいました。ane wa otōto ga shika ra re na i yō ni ka ba i ma shi ta

My older sister defended her younger brother so that he would not be scolded.

Core concept

Describes shielding another person from blame, attack, or harm rather than leaving them exposed to its consequences.

Common phrases

  • 友人をかばうyū jin o ka ba u

    defend a friend

  • 仲間をかばうnaka ma o ka ba u

    defend one's teammate

  • 同僚をかばうdō ryō o ka ba u

    defend a coworker

Similar words

守るmamoru: To keep a person safe from danger, injury, or loss through protection or care.
弁護するbengosuru: To speak in support of a person accused of wrongdoing or facing criticism.
擁護するyōgosuru: To support and defend a person, group, or idea against criticism or attack.

Definition in Japanese

他人が責められたり害を受けたりしないように守る。ta nin ga se me ra re ta ri gai o u ke ta ri shi na i yō ni mamo ru

Word origin

Native Japanese かばう (kabau) has no securely established etymology; 庇う (kabau) is a conventional spelling, not proof of a kanji-based origin.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, かばう (kabau) often means shielding a person from blame, so it can describe making excuses for a friend rather than defending a position in a debate.

Other meanings

  • protectverb
  • cover forverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word