Japanese

Verb

負う ‎(transitive, godan conjugation, hiragana おう, romaji ou)

1. to bear, to carry on one's back
2. to assume or take a responsibility
   • 1917, 豊島与志雄, 田原氏の犯罪:

     然 (しか)し君 (きみ)も主任店員 (しゅにんてんいん)として一半 (いっぱん)の責 (せき)は負 (お)わなければならない。

     Shikashi kimi mo shunin ten'in toshite ippan no seki wa owanakereba naranai.

     Still, you must accept part of the responsibility as the managing shop assistant.

3. to be in a debt of gratitude
4. to suffer an injury
   • 1924, 岡本綺堂, 青蛙堂鬼談:

     妹 (いもうと)は全身 (ぜんしん)に大火傷 (おおやけど)を負 (お)って虫 (むし)の息 (いき)であった。

     Imōto wa zenshin ni ōyakedo o otte mushi no iki de atta.

     My younger sister was at death's door after suffering terrible burns on her entire body.

Conjugation

Idioms

• 手 (て)に負 (お)えない ‎(te ni oenai)

See also

• (archaic) 負 (お)ぶる ‎(oburu): to carry on one’s back, to bear