控える · ichidan verb
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 控える | 控えない |
| Polite | 控えます | 控えません |
| Past polite | 控えました | 控えませんでした |
| Past | 控えた | 控えなかった |
| Te-form | 控えて | 控えないで |
| Desire | 控えたい | 控えたくない |
| Potential | 控えられるalso 控えれる | 控えられないalso 控えれない |
| Passive | 控えられる | 控えられない |
| Causative | 控えさせる | 控えさせない |
| Causative passive | 控えさせられる | 控えさせられない |
| Volitional | 控えよう | |
| Polite volitional | 控えましょう | |
| Imperative | 控えろ | 控えるな |
| Conditional | 控えれば | 控えなければ |
| Tara conditional | 控えたら | 控えなかったら |
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Used when consciously restraining oneself from doing something, especially excessive eating, drinking, or speaking. Often appears as 控える + ようにする or 控えめに.
I'm cutting back on sweets for my health.
彼は発言を控えた。
He refrained from speaking.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
note down; jot down; record
Used for writing down information for later reference, such as phone numbers, appointments, or notes. Common with メモ, ノート, or specific details.
電話番号を手帳に控えた。
I jotted down the phone number in my notebook.
会議の内容をノートに控えておく。
I'll note down the meeting details.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
be in waiting; stand by; be ready
Describes a state of being prepared or waiting nearby, often for a scheduled event or opportunity. Frequently used in the form 控えている.
次の試合を控えて、選手たちは緊張している。
With the next match coming up, the players are nervous.
彼は隣の部屋に控えている。
He is waiting in the next room.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
be imminent; be around the corner
Used for events or situations that are about to happen soon. Often appears as ～を控えて or ～が控えている.
出産を間近に控えた母親。
A mother who is about to give birth.
試験が来週に控えている。
The exam is coming up next week.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
have behind one; be backed by
Indicates that someone influential or powerful is supporting a person or group, often in a political or business context. Usually in the form ～を後ろに控えて or ～が控えている.
彼には有力な後援者が控えている。
He has a powerful backer behind him.
大臣を後ろに控えて、彼は強気な発言をした。
With the minister behind him, he made a bold statement.
The doctor told me to, so I'm trying to cut back on salt.
I jotted down the important matter in my notebook.
He's waiting backstage until it's his turn.
I'm busy since I have an exam coming up next week.
He has a powerful politician backing him up.
I refrained from calling late at night.
控える is the broader base verb covering waiting, noting down, and refraining, while 差し控える narrows the meaning specifically to holding back from an action out of restraint.
控える means to refrain from or hold back on something out of caution or moderation, while 止める means to stop or give it up outright.
控える can mean to jot something down for reference, often in business or formal contexts, similar to but slightly more restrained than 書き留める.
控える means to hold back or moderate something, a softer notion than 断つ, which implies stopping completely and decisively.
be moderate in; hold back on; not overdo · refrain from; withhold; abstain from · be nearby; be close by
restrained buying; holding back on purchases; consumer reluctance to buy
note; memorandum; personal record · holding back; refraining; restraint
mainstay; key person; central figure
buttress
notebook; memo book; record book
holding back from selling; refraining from selling
hold back; refrain; cut back · jot down; note down
wrestler waiting his turn by the ring
waiting wrestler's sitting cushion
memo; note; written record
duplicate sample; reference sample; file copy
substitute player; reserve