Translation guide
The English phrase "back up" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: moving backwards, supporting a claim or person, making a copy of data, and causing a traffic jam. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
To move backwards, either a person or a vehicle.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to step back' or 'to move back'. Used for people or things moving backwards.
もう少し下がってください。
Please back up a little more.
More formal or technical term for moving backwards, often used for vehicles or in military contexts.
車がゆっくり後退した。
The car backed up slowly.
Loanword from English 'back', commonly used for vehicles reversing.
ここでバックしてください。
Please back up here.
To provide evidence or support for a statement, or to assist someone.
To back up a claim with evidence. Often used in formal or written contexts.
その主張を裏付ける証拠はない。
There is no evidence to back up that claim.
To support or back up a person or group, often in a more general sense.
彼はいつも私を支援してくれる。
He always backs me up.
To back up or boost someone's efforts, often implying encouragement or practical help.
友達が私の計画を後押ししてくれた。
My friends backed up my plan.
To create a backup copy of computer data.
Standard expression for backing up data. The loanword バックアップ is widely used.
大事なファイルはバックアップを取っておいてください。
Please back up important files.
Verb form of 'backup', used in casual or technical contexts.
毎日データをバックアップしています。
I back up the data every day.
To cause vehicles to form a line due to congestion.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be congested' or 'to back up' (traffic).
事故で高速道路が渋滞した。
The highway backed up due to an accident.
Transitive phrase meaning 'to cause a traffic jam'.
その工事が渋滞を引き起こした。
The construction backed up traffic.
Do not translate 'back up' literally as 後ろに上がる or similar. The meaning depends heavily on context. Use the appropriate Japanese expression for each situation.