Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hold" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hold", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
抱える
かかえる (kakaeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
食い止める
くいとめる (kuitomeru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hold" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 抱える and 食い止める.
In Japanese, 抱える (かかえる (kakaeru)) is typically associated with "to hold (in one's arms); to carry; to have (a problem/debt); to be burdened with" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Can refer to physically holding/carrying something.
On the other hand, 食い止める (くいとめる (kuitomeru)) maps to "to hold back, to stem" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "hold" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "抱える"
彼女はたくさんの書類を抱えてオフィスに戻った。その会社は大きな問題を抱えている。
She returned to the office carrying a lot of documents. That company is burdened with a big problem.
Bilingual Context for "食い止める"
毎日、日本語を練習するために食い止める。
Every day, I hold back, to stem to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女はたくさんの書類を抱えてオフィスに戻った。その会社は大きな問題を抱えている。" (Meaning: "She returned to the office carrying a lot of documents. That company is burdened with a big problem.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "抱える" fits here because it means "to hold (in one's arms); to carry; to have (a problem/debt); to be burdened with" in the context of: "She returned to the office carrying a lot of documents. That company is burdened with a big problem.". "食い止める" represents "to hold back, to stem".