Japanese word

まかなう

Pronunciation

Romajimakanau

Meaning

  • verbcover

Example

アルバイト代で生活費をまかないます。a ru ba i to dai de sei katsu hi o ma ka na i ma su

I cover my living expenses with my part-time job earnings.

Illustration for まかなう (cover)

More examples

奨学金で学費をまかなっています。shō gaku kin de gaku hi o ma ka na tte i ma su

I cover my tuition with a scholarship.

Core concept

Expresses making something possible by providing the money, goods, or support that it requires.

Common phrases

  • 家賃をまかなうya chin o ma ka na u

    cover the rent

  • 学費をまかなうgaku hi o ma ka na u

    cover tuition

  • 不足分をまかなうfu soku bun o ma ka na u

    make up the shortfall

Similar words

支払うshiharau: To transfer money as payment for something received or owed.
負担するfutansuru: To take on the payment of a cost or the provision of necessary resources.
補うoginau: To fill a gap by supplying an amount or resource that is lacking.
充てるateru: To apply available money or resources to a specific need.

Definition in Japanese

必要な費用を負担したり、必要な物を用意したりして、物事が成り立つようにすること。hitsu yō na hi yō o fu tan shi ta ri hitsu yō na mono o yō i shi ta ri shi te mono goto ga na ri ta tsu yō ni su ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb まかなう (makanau) is recorded in the older spelling まかなふ (makanafu), while 賄う (makanau) is the modern kanji spelling linked to providing provisions.

Usage tips

  • With people or organizations as subjects, まかなう (makanau) can mean providing necessities for someone, while with money it commonly means meeting a cost.

Other meanings

  • financeverb
  • supportverb

Related words

  • 賄いmakanaiprovisionnoun

Word lists with this word