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.
Please back up a little more.
More formal or technical term for moving backwards, often used for vehicles or in military contexts.
The car backed up slowly.
Loanword from English 'back', commonly used for vehicles reversing.
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.
There is no evidence to back up that claim.
To support or back up a person or group, often in a more general sense.
He always backs me up.
To back up or boost someone's efforts, often implying encouragement or practical help.
To create a backup copy of computer data.
To cause vehicles to form a line due to congestion.
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.
My friends backed up my plan.
The construction backed up traffic.