Japanese

せおう
Meaning: to carry on one's back; to shoulder (responsibility, burden)
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 背負う 背負わない
Polite 背負います 背負いません
Past 背負った 背負わなかった
Polite + Past 背負いました 背負いませんでした
Te-form 背負って 背負わなくて
Potential 背負える 背負えない
Passive 背負われる 背負われない
Causative 背負わせる 背負わせない
Causative + Passive 背負わされる 背負わされない
Imperative 背負え 背負うな

Handwriting

背
負
う

Example sentences

He is carrying a heavy backpack.
彼は重いリュックを背負って山を登った。
He climbed the mountain carrying a heavy backpack.
彼は冬休みにバックパックを背負って東南アジアを旅行した。
He traveled through Southeast Asia with a backpack during winter break.
彼は大きなバックパックを背負って旅に出た。
He set out on a journey carrying a large backpack on his back.
彼は高利貸しから金を借り、多額の借金を背負うことになった。
He borrowed money from a loan shark and ended up in huge debt.

Usage Notes

Literally carrying something on the back, but also metaphorically used for carrying responsibilities or burdens.

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