Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hold" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hold", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
押さえる
おさえる (osaeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
抱える
かかえる (kakaeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hold" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 押さえる and 抱える.
In Japanese, 押さえる (おさえる (osaeru)) is typically associated with "to hold down, to restrain, to keep under control, to check" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 動きを止めたり、位置を固定したり、感情を抑えたりする場合に使う。Used when stopping movement, fixing a position, or suppressing emotions..
On the other hand, 抱える (かかえる (kakaeru)) maps to "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. A literal translation of "hold" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "押さえる"
風で飛ばされないように帽子を両手で押さえた。
I held down my hat with both hands so it wouldn't be blown away by the wind.
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.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "風で飛ばされないように帽子を両手で押さえた。" (Meaning: "I held down my hat with both hands so it wouldn't be blown away by the wind.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "押さえる" fits here because it means "to hold down, to restrain, to keep under control, to check" in the context of: "I held down my hat with both hands so it wouldn't be blown away by the wind.". "抱える" represents "to hold (in one's arms); to carry; to have (a problem/debt); to be burdened with".