Japanese

える

あたまをかかえる
Meaning: to rack one's brains; to be at one's wit's end; to be troubled
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 頭を抱える 頭を抱えない
Polite 頭を抱えます 頭を抱えません
Past 頭を抱えた 頭を抱えなかった
Polite + Past 頭を抱えました 頭を抱えませんでした
Te-form 頭を抱えて 頭を抱えなくて
Potential 頭を抱えられる 頭を抱えられない
Passive 頭を抱えられる 頭を抱えられない
Causative 頭を抱えさせる 頭を抱えさせない
Imperative 頭を抱えろ 頭を抱えるな

Handwriting

頭
を
抱
え
る

Example

Faced with mounting tasks, the person in charge is at a loss.

Usage Notes

Literally 'to hold one's head'. Describes a state of deep worry or difficulty in finding a solution.

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