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.
He kept the crowd back.
Often used for suppressing or holding back emotions, but can also mean physically restraining.
Literally 'make someone step back', used for crowd control.
To deliberately not tell someone something.
Common verb for hiding or concealing information.
To hold onto something instead of giving it away.
To set aside or keep for later, often used for objects.
To hold a student back a grade.
Standard term for making a student repeat a year.
To remain at a distance, often used as a command.
Common imperative meaning 'stay 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.
She kept back her tears.
怒りを抑える。
Keep back one's anger.
The police kept the people back.
He kept back the truth.
Literally 'leave unsaid', natural for deliberately not mentioning something.
I kept back the important thing.
To keep something secret.
That information was kept back.
I kept back part of the tip.
To leave behind or keep back a portion.
He kept back part of his salary.
He was kept back a year.
Literally 'not promote to next grade'.
If grades are bad, they may keep you back.
Keep back, it's dangerous.
Literally 'don't come near', natural warning.
Please keep back.
The police kept the protesters back.