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舁く (かく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
carry on shoulders ; bear a palanquin
Typically used when two or more people carry something heavy on their shoulders, especially a palanquin or similar load. Rare and somewhat archaic; modern Japanese usually uses 担ぐ or 運ぶ.
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They carry the portable shrine on their shoulders at the festival.
Similar words 担かつ ぐ 担ぐ is the common modern verb for carrying something on one's shoulder, while 舁く is rare and specifically implies two or more people carrying a load together.
運はこ ぶ 運ぶ is the general verb for transporting or carrying something, without the specific shoulder-borne nuance of 舁く.
Etymology The kanji 舁 is composed of 臼 (mortar) and 廾 (two hands), suggesting the action of lifting together. The historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with carrying on the shoulders.