YukaThe verb かばう is a really useful one to know for understanding relationships and loyalty in Japanese culture. Let’s explore it!
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| かばう | kabau | to protect / to cover for / to take someone’s side |
| かばってあげる | kabatte ageru | to stand up for someone |
What Does かばう Mean?
かばう (庇う) means to protect someone or cover for them — often at some cost to yourself. It can mean shielding someone physically, defending them verbally, or making excuses for them:
- 友達をかばって怒られた。 — I got scolded for covering for my friend.
- 弟をかばおうとした。 — I tried to protect my little brother.
- 彼はいつも部下をかばう。 — He always covers for his subordinates.
Using かばう in Context
かばう often involves loyalty, protection, or taking sides. It can be positive (defending someone unfairly treated) or negative (making excuses for someone who was wrong):
- 先生に怒られても、友達をかばった。 — Even when the teacher got angry, I covered for my friend.
- 彼女は彼の失敗をいつもかばう。 — She always makes excuses for his mistakes.
ReiSo it’s not always positive?
YukaRight! かばう can imply blind loyalty — covering for someone even when they’re wrong.
Related Vocabulary
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 守る | mamoru | to protect / to defend |
| かばい合う | kabai au | to cover for each other |
| かばいすぎる | kabai sugiru | to over-protect / to make too many excuses |
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank: “She protected her little sister from the bully.”
Answer: 彼女はいじめっ子から妹をかばった。
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