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.
Please carry the luggage.
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.
Please carry this box to the room.
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.
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.
To carry a backpack on one's back.
Specifically means to carry someone (usually a child) on your back, piggyback style. Casual and common in daily life.
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.
He is carrying a book under his arm.
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.
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.
I'll carry the child in my arms.
To carry something resting on your shoulder, like a bag or a load.
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.
The truck carries goods.
Formal term for transporting goods or people, often used in logistics, military, or large-scale operations.
To transport relief supplies to the disaster area.
To convey or have a particular meaning, weight, or consequence.
To be pregnant with 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'.
I am carrying a bag now.
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.
Could you carry this for me?
She carried the box to the car.
I always carry a pen.
He is carrying a heavy responsibility.
She is carrying a lot of problems.
この手術はリスクを伴う。
This surgery carries risks.
彼女は子を身ごもった。
She conceived/carried a child.