Translation guide
The English word "cover" has many meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use, from physical covering to abstract concepts like reporting or replacing someone.
To place an object over another to protect, hide, or enclose it.
General verb for covering something with a physical object, like a cloth or lid.
I covered the table with a cloth.
To cover by placing something over from above, like a lid or a hat.
Please put a lid on the pot.
To hang or drape something over, like a blanket or coat.
I covered the sofa with a blanket.
To spread across or exist over a large area.
To address or contain something as part of a discussion, book, or course.
To deal with or cover a topic in a book, class, etc.
This book covers Japanese history.
To include or contain a topic as part of something.
To cover comprehensively, often used in formal contexts.
This dictionary covers modern language comprehensively.
To provide news coverage of an event or story.
To protect against loss, damage, or risk, often through insurance.
To travel a certain distance.
To do someone's job or duty while they are absent.
To hide something, often a mistake or a feeling.
While カバーする is common in casual Japanese, it doesn't cover all meanings of "cover." For physical covering, use 覆う or かぶせる. For news reporting, use 報道する. Overusing カバーする can sound unnatural.
覆う is a general verb for covering something, often with a flat object like a cloth. かぶせる specifically means to cover from above, like putting a lid on a pot or a hat on a head.
Please cover the food with plastic wrap.
The news covered the election results.
I need someone to cover my class tomorrow.
The exam covers up to chapter 5.
彼は笑ってごまかした。
He covered it up with a laugh.