Translation guide
The English word "harboring" can refer to sheltering a person (often secretly or illegally), or to holding onto feelings, thoughts, or suspicions. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas.
To give refuge or conceal someone, often a fugitive or someone in trouble.
The most common and direct verb for harboring a person, especially a criminal or fugitive. Implies actively hiding and protecting them.
He is harboring a fugitive.
Same as かくまう but using the kanji 匿 (hide). Slightly more formal or literary.
She harbored the criminal.
To protect or shield someone from harm or blame. Less about hiding and more about defending.
He lied to protect his friend.
General verb for hiding something or someone. Can be used for harboring but is less specific.
They hid him in the basement.
To keep a feeling, suspicion, or grudge inside, often secretly or for a long time.
To harbor (feelings, hopes, doubts). Often used with abstract nouns like 疑い (suspicion), 希望 (hope), 恨み (grudge).
He has been harboring a grudge for years.
A more general verb for 'have' or 'hold'. Can be used for harboring feelings, but less literary than 抱く.
To keep something hidden in one's heart; to harbor secretly. Emphasizes concealment.
She harbored those feelings deep inside.
Literally 'to warm', but can mean to nurture or harbor (an idea, plan, or feeling) over time.
The legal act of knowingly concealing or assisting a criminal.
かくまう focuses on physically hiding someone, often illegally. かばう means to protect or defend someone from harm or criticism, not necessarily hiding them.
He defied the teacher to protect his younger brother.
Avoid directly translating 'harboring' as 港 (port/harbor). Use verbs like 抱く or 持つ for feelings.
She secretly harbored hope.
He harbors suspicions about me.
He was harboring a plan for revenge.
逃亡者を匿うことは犯罪です。
Harboring a fugitive is a crime.