Translation guide
The English word 'harbouring' can refer to physically sheltering someone, or to holding onto emotions, 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 harbouring a person, especially a criminal or fugitive. Implies actively hiding and protecting them.
彼は逃亡者をかくまった。
He harboured a fugitive.
Kanji form of かくまう, used in formal or written contexts. Same meaning.
犯人を匿うことは犯罪です。
Harbouring a criminal is a crime.
General verb for 'to hide' something or someone. Can be used for harbouring, but is broader and less specific than かくまう.
彼女は友達を家に隠した。
She hid her friend in her house.
Means to protect or shield someone from harm or blame. Not exactly 'harbouring', but can overlap when protection involves concealment.
彼は弟をかばって嘘をついた。
He lied to protect his younger brother.
To keep feelings, such as resentment, suspicion, or hope, inside oneself over time.
Literary/formal verb for harbouring feelings like doubts, hopes, or ambitions. Often used with abstract nouns.
彼は長年恨みを抱いていた。
He had harboured resentment for years.
彼女は密かに希望を抱いていた。
She secretly harboured hope.
General verb for 'to have' or 'to hold'. In combination with emotion nouns, it can express harbouring feelings in a neutral, everyday way.
Means to keep something secret or hidden inside. Often used for feelings one doesn't show outwardly.
Literally 'to warm', but metaphorically means to nurture or harbour an idea or ambition over time.
To have a persistent feeling that something is wrong or that someone is guilty.
A set phrase meaning 'to harbour suspicion'. Formal and common in writing.
警察は彼に疑いを抱いている。
The police harbour suspicions about him.
A more neutral, everyday way to say 'to have suspicions'. Less formal than 疑いを抱く.
私は彼の話に疑いを持った。
I harboured doubts about his story.
Verb meaning 'to suspect' or 'to be suspicious of'. Can imply harbouring suspicion without openly stating it.
抱く (いだく) is more literary and often used with strong, deep emotions like 恨み (resentment) or 希望 (hope). 持つ (もつ) is more general and can be used in daily conversation for any kind of feeling or thought.
Do not use 港 (みなと, harbour/port) to translate 'harbouring' feelings or people. It only refers to a physical port for ships.
He harbours ill will toward me.
She harboured sadness in her heart.
彼は長年独立の夢を温めてきた。
He has long harboured a dream of independence.
彼らは彼の行動を怪しんでいた。
They harboured suspicions about his behaviour.