Meaning

Primary

To Carry

Alternative

To Shoulder

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means carry so the verb vocab version is to carry. This has to do with carrying something literal, unlike 担う which is not necessarily literal (you'll learn it later). And in this case, you carry it on your shoulder(s). You can remember that it's literal from the reading mnemonic, which has you carrying literal cats on your shoulders.

Reading

かつぐ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You love to carry things, especially cats (かつ). You hoist them up onto your shoulders and carry them all around town.

Context

Context Sentences

レスリングで、相手の選手を担ぐための型を覚えた。

I learned a wrestling form that enables you to pick up your opponent.

あそこで子供を肩に担いでいるのが私の兄です。

That man over there carrying a child on his shoulder is my older brother.

日本に行ったら、お祭りで神輿を担いでみたい。

If I go to Japan, I’d like to carry a portable shrine in a parade.

Kanji Composition