Translation guide
The English word 'carrying' covers a wide range of actions involving holding and moving something from one place to another. Japanese uses different verbs depending on how you carry (in hands, on back, under arm, etc.), what you carry, and the manner of movement. This guide organizes the most common and useful expressions for learners.
To hold and transport something using your hands, often in front of you.
The most general verb for 'to hold' or 'to carry' something. It implies having something in your hands, but not necessarily moving it. When combined with motion verbs, it means carrying.
荷物を持ってください。
Please carry the luggage.
彼は本を持っている。
He is holding/carrying a book.
Focuses on the transportation aspect: to carry something from one place to another. Often used for moving objects, goods, or people.
この箱を部屋まで運んでください。
Please carry this box to the room.
バスが乗客を運ぶ。
The bus carries passengers.
Combines 'hold' and 'transport'. Emphasizes carrying something portable from place to place. Common for portable devices or items you take with you.
このパソコンは軽くて持ち運びやすい。
This laptop is light and easy to carry around.
To carry something on your back, like a backpack or a person.
To carry on one's back. Used for backpacks, burdens, responsibilities, or giving someone a piggyback ride.
リュックを背負う。
To carry a backpack on one's back.
彼は重い責任を背負っている。
He is carrying a heavy responsibility.
Specifically means to carry someone (usually a child) on your back, piggyback style. Casual and common in daily life.
子供をおんぶする。
To carry a child on one's back.
To carry something tucked under your arm, like a book or a bag.
To hold or carry something under one's arm, or to have a problem or burden. Implies holding something against your body with one arm.
彼は本を小脇に抱えている。
He is carrying a book under his arm.
彼女はたくさんの問題を抱えている。
She is carrying a lot of problems.
To carry something by holding it against your chest with both arms, like a baby or a large object.
To hold in one's arms, embrace. Often used for carrying babies, pets, or large items against your chest.
赤ちゃんを抱く。
To hold/carry a baby in one's arms.
Casual, affectionate term for carrying or holding a child in one's arms. Very common in parent-child contexts.
子供を抱っこしてあげる。
I'll carry the child in my arms.
To carry something resting on your shoulder, like a bag or a load.
To carry something on one's shoulder, often a heavy or long object like a pole, bag, or person.
彼は荷物を肩に担いだ。
He carried the load on his shoulder.
To hang or carry something over one's shoulder, like a bag strap.
バッグを肩にかける。
To carry a bag on one's shoulder.
To transport people or goods using a vehicle, ship, plane, etc.
As above, the general verb for transporting. Works for vehicles, animals, or people carrying things.
トラックが商品を運ぶ。
The truck carries goods.
Formal term for transporting goods or people, often used in logistics, military, or large-scale operations.
救援物資を被災地に輸送する。
To transport relief supplies to the disaster area.
To convey or have a particular meaning, weight, or consequence.
Used metaphorically: words, actions, or things 'carry' meaning, importance, or risk.
この言葉は特別な意味を持つ。
This word carries a special meaning.
To be accompanied by, to entail. Used when an action carries risks, responsibilities, or consequences.
To be pregnant with a child.
The standard term for 'to be pregnant' or 'to conceive'. Used for humans.
彼女は今、二人目の子供を妊娠している。
She is now carrying her second child.
A more literary or formal term for becoming pregnant. Less common in daily conversation.
彼女は子を身ごもった。
She conceived/carried a child.
持つ (motsu) focuses on holding something, often stationary. 運ぶ (hakobu) focuses on moving something from A to B. 持ち運ぶ (mochihakobu) combines both: holding and moving, often for portable items. Use 持っている for 'I am carrying (right now)' and 運ぶ for 'I will carry it there'.
今、カバンを持っています。
I am carrying a bag now.
この荷物を駅まで運びます。
I will carry this luggage to the station.
English 'carry' is very broad. In Japanese, you must choose the verb that matches the method of carrying. Using 持つ for everything can sound unnatural. For example, 'carry a child on your back' is おんぶする, not 子供を持つ.
これを持ってくれませんか？
Could you carry this for me?
彼女は箱を車まで運んだ。
She carried the box to the car.
いつもペンを持ち歩いています。
I always carry a pen.
この手術はリスクを伴う。
This surgery carries risks.