Japanese Conversation · Level 73
75 words
Japanese word
補う
Pronunciation
Romajioginau
Meaning
- verbmake up for
Example
睡眠不足を昼寝で補います。sui min fu soku o hiru ne de ogina i ma su
I make up for my lack of sleep with a nap.
More examples
この研修は、実務経験の不足を補います。ko no ken shū wa jitsu mu kei ken no fu soku o ogina i ma su
This training makes up for a lack of practical experience.
Core concept
Expresses covering a deficiency by adding something or using another resource to restore what is lacking.
Common phrases
不足分を補うfu soku bun o ogina u
make up the shortfall
弱点を補うjaku ten o ogina u
make up for a weakness
欠員を補うketsu in o ogina u
fill a vacancy
Similar words
埋め合わせるumeawaseru: To offset a loss or deficiency by supplying something that restores the missing value.
埋めるumeru: To supply enough of something to remove a gap or deficiency.
補完するhokansuru: To provide a necessary part that makes an incomplete set or function whole.
補填するhotensuru: To restore a shortfall by adding funds, goods, or another concrete resource.
Definition in Japanese
足りないものを加えて不足を埋めたり、損失や不利を埋め合わせたりする。ta ri na i mo no o kuwa e te fu soku o u me ta ri son shitsu ya fu ri o u me a wa se ta ri su ru
Word origin
補う (oginau) is a native Japanese verb recorded in the older form おぎなふ (oginapu), while its original word formation remains uncertain.
Usage tips
- 補う (oginau) often describes one person's strength covering another person's weakness, so the missing element need not be a physical object.