Translation guide
The English phrasal verb "keep back" has several distinct meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use, from physical restraint to withholding information, and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To prevent someone or something from moving forward or advancing.
General term for holding back or restraining physically.
彼は群衆を押さえた。
He kept the crowd back.
Often used for suppressing or holding back emotions, but can also mean physically restraining.
怒りを抑える。
Keep back one's anger.
Literally 'make someone step back', used for crowd control.
警察は人々を後ろに下がらせた。
The police kept the people back.
To deliberately not tell someone something.
Common verb for hiding or concealing information.
彼は真実を隠した。
He kept back the truth.
Literally 'leave unsaid', natural for deliberately not mentioning something.
大事なことを言わないでおいた。
I kept back the important thing.
To keep something secret.
その情報は秘密にされた。
That information was kept back.
To hold onto something instead of giving it away.
To set aside or keep for later, often used for objects.
チップの一部を取っておいた。
I kept back part of the tip.
To leave behind or keep back a portion.
To hold a student back a grade.
Standard term for making a student repeat a year.
彼は一年留年させられた。
He was kept back a year.
Literally 'not promote to next grade'.
成績が悪いと進級させないこともある。
If grades are bad, they may keep you back.
To remain at a distance, often used as a command.
Common imperative meaning 'stay back'.
危ないから下がっていて。
Keep back, it's dangerous.
Literally 'don't come near', natural warning.
近づかないでください。
Please keep back.
Directly translating 'keep back' as キープバック is not understood. Use context-appropriate verbs like 押さえる (restrain) or 隠す (conceal).
Both read おさえる. 押さえる is physical holding down; 抑える is suppressing emotions or abstract things. For 'keep back a crowd', use 押さえる.
彼女は涙を抑えた。
She kept back her tears.
警察は抗議者たちを押さえた。
The police kept the protesters back.
He kept back part of his salary.