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片棒を担ぐ (かたぼうをかつぐ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-gu)
take part in (something bad) ; be a party to ; have a hand in
Idiomatic expression implying complicity or participation, usually in a negative or shady affair. Often used when someone shares responsibility for a scheme, crime, or undesirable plan.
悪わる
い
計けい
画かく
の
片かた
棒ぼう
を
担かつ
ぐ
の
は
やめ
て
おけ
。
Don't get involved in a bad scheme.
Written forms 片かた 棒ぼう を 担かつ ぐ
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
片かた 棒ぼう をかつぐ
Kana spelling of the verb part; sometimes used for clarity or in informal writing.
Kanji 担 shouldering, carry, raise Similar words 加か 担たん する 加担する also means to participate in something, often negative, but is more formal and can be used in legal or serious contexts. 片棒を担ぐ is a colloquial idiom with a stronger nuance of being an accomplice in a shady deal.
手て を 貸か す 手を貸す means to lend a hand or help, and is neutral or positive. 片棒を担ぐ is specifically for taking part in something bad.
Etymology Literally 'to carry one end of a pole'. The image is of two people carrying a load together, implying shared responsibility. The idiomatic meaning extends to being a partner in a scheme, usually a dubious one.
