Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hold" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hold", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
かかえる
かかえる (kakaeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
足を引っ張る
あしをひっぱる (ashiwohipparu)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hold" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between かかえる and 足を引っ張る.
In Japanese, かかえる (かかえる (kakaeru)) is typically associated with "to hold in one's arms, to embrace, to have (a problem/debt)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Has two main meanings: physically holding something heavy or bulky in one's arms, or figuratively having a problem/burden/debt..
On the other hand, 足を引っ張る (あしをひっぱる (ashiwohipparu)) maps to "to hold someone back" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "hold" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "かかえる"
彼女はたくさんの荷物を抱えて電車に乗った。
She got on the train holding many bags.
Bilingual Context for "足を引っ張る"
毎日、日本語を練習するために足を引っ張る。
Every day, I hold someone back to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女はたくさんの荷物を抱えて電車に乗った。" (Meaning: "She got on the train holding many bags.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "かかえる" fits here because it means "to hold in one's arms, to embrace, to have (a problem/debt)" in the context of: "She got on the train holding many bags.". "足を引っ張る" represents "to hold someone back".