Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common way to express carrying something on one's back is the verb 背負う (seou). There are also other verbs for carrying on the back, such as 負ぶう (obuu) for carrying a person, and 担ぐ (katsugu) for carrying something on the shoulder, which can overlap with back-carrying. The choice depends on what is being carried and the manner.
The speaker wants to express that someone carries an object on their back, like a backpack or a load.
The standard verb for carrying something on one's back. It can be used for physical loads as well as metaphorical burdens.
彼は大きなリュックを背負っている。
He is carrying a large backpack on his back.
重い荷物を背負って山を登った。
I climbed the mountain carrying a heavy load on my back.
A phrase emphasizing walking while carrying on the back.
子供はランドセルを背負って歩いている。
The child is walking with a school bag on their back.
The speaker wants to describe carrying a person, especially a child, on their back.
Specifically means to carry someone (usually a child) on one's back, often in a piggyback fashion.
母親は赤ちゃんを負ぶっている。
The mother is carrying her baby on her back.
疲れた弟を負ぶって家に帰った。
I carried my tired younger brother home on my back.
A more casual, often childish way to say piggyback. Commonly used in the phrase おんぶして (give me a piggyback ride).
子供が「おんぶして」と頼んだ。
The child asked, "Give me a piggyback ride."
The speaker wants to describe carrying something like a pole or bag slung over the shoulder, which may rest on the back.
Means to carry something on one's shoulder. Often used for long objects like poles, or for hoisting something onto the shoulder. Can imply the load is also on the back.
彼は釣り竿を担いで川へ向かった。
He headed to the river carrying a fishing rod on his shoulder.
大工が材木を担いでいる。
The carpenter is carrying lumber on his shoulder.
Can also be used for shoulder-carried items if they rest on the back, but 担ぐ is more precise for shoulder carrying.
The speaker wants to express carrying a responsibility, debt, or emotional weight.
Used metaphorically for bearing a burden, responsibility, or fate. Very common.
彼は多額の借金を背負っている。
He is saddled with a huge debt.
リーダーとしての責任を背負う。
I bear the responsibility as a leader.
Also means to bear or incur something negative, like a debt, injury, or obligation. Less physical than 背負う.
彼は重傷を負った。
He sustained a serious injury.
背負う (seou) is the general verb for carrying on the back. 負ぶう (obuu) is specifically for carrying a person on the back. 担ぐ (katsugu) is for carrying on the shoulder, often with the load resting on the back as well. Use 背負う for objects, 負ぶう for people, and 担ぐ for shoulder-carried items.
The verb 運ぶ (hakobu) means to transport or carry in general, but it does not specify the method. To emphasize carrying on the back, use 背負う or the other specific verbs.
荷物を運ぶ
carry/transport luggage (not necessarily on the back)
リュックを背負う代わりに、肩に担いだ。
Instead of carrying the backpack on my back, I slung it over my shoulder.