Japanese word

背負う

Pronunciation

Romajiseou

Meaning

  • verbcarry on one's back

Example

赤ちゃんを背負います。aka cha n o se o i ma su

I carry the baby on my back.

Illustration for 背負う (carry on one's back)

More examples

弟が疲れたので、私は弟を背負って駅まで歩きました。otōto ga tsuka re ta no de watashi wa otōto o se o tte eki ma de aru ki ma shi ta

My younger brother was tired, so I carried him on my back and walked to the station.

Core concept

It means moving with a person or object resting on and supported by the back.

Common phrases

  • 赤ちゃんを背負うaka cha n o se o u

    carry a baby on one's back

  • 子どもを背負うko do mo o se o u

    carry a child on one's back

  • 荷物を背負うni motsu o se o u

    carry luggage on one's back

Similar words

おぶるoburu: To carry a child on the back, usually in a familiar or informal way.
担ぐkatsugu: To carry a person or object on one shoulder or across the shoulders.

Definition in Japanese

人や物を背中に負って移動する。hito ya mono o se naka ni o tte i dō su ru

Word origin

In this native compound, 背 (se, "back") specifies the place of support and 負う (ou, "carry or bear") supplies the action of carrying.

Usage tips

  • Unlike carry, which does not specify a body position, 背負う (seō) tells the listener that the load is carried on the back.

Other meanings

  • shoulderverb

Word lists with this word