Translation guide
Expresses the state of being weighed down by something difficult, such as responsibilities, debts, or emotional troubles. Japanese often uses passive or stative constructions to convey this idea.
To be saddled with a difficult task, obligation, or role that feels overwhelming.
Literally 'carrying responsibility'. A natural way to say you are burdened with a duty.
彼は大きな責任を負っている。
He is burdened with a great responsibility.
Metaphorically 'carrying a heavy load on one's back'. Emphasizes the weight of the burden.
彼女は家族の期待という重荷を背負っている。
She is burdened with the heavy load of her family's expectations.
Passive form of 'to impose'. Used when a burden is placed on someone by an external force.
彼には難しい仕事が課せられた。
He was burdened with a difficult task.
To be weighed down by loans, mortgages, or other monetary burdens.
Literally 'holding debt'. The most common way to say you are burdened with debt.
彼は多額の借金を抱えている。
He is burdened with a large amount of debt.
Literally 'suffering from loans'. Emphasizes the pain caused by the financial burden.
彼らは住宅ローンに苦しんでいる。
They are burdened with a mortgage.
To be oppressed by worries, guilt, or sadness.
Literally 'holding worries'. A natural way to express being burdened with anxieties.
彼女はたくさんの心配事を抱えている。
She is burdened with many worries.
Literally 'tormented by guilt'. Stronger expression for being burdened with guilt.
彼は罪悪感に苛まれている。
He is burdened with guilt.
Literally 'holding stress'. Common for being burdened with stress.
最近、仕事のストレスを抱えている。
Lately, I've been burdened with work stress.
To be weighed down by carrying heavy things or having too many items to manage.
Literally 'holding luggage'. Used when physically burdened with bags or items.
彼女は大きな荷物を抱えて駅に向かった。
She headed to the station burdened with a large bag.
Literally 'hands are full'. Implies being burdened with things to carry or do.
今、手がふさがっているので、後で電話します。
I'm burdened with things right now, so I'll call you later.
抱える (kakaeru) means 'to hold in one's arms' and is used for burdens you actively manage (debt, worries). 背負う (seou) means 'to carry on one's back' and emphasizes the weight of a burden, often used for responsibilities or fate.
The English phrase 'be burdened with' does not have a single direct Japanese equivalent. Using a literal translation like 負担されている (futan sarete iru) is possible but often sounds unnatural. Instead, use the specific phrases shown above depending on the type of burden.