Translation guide
The English word "harboring" can refer to sheltering a person (often secretly or illegally), or to holding onto feelings, thoughts, or suspicions. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas.
To give refuge or conceal someone, often a fugitive or someone in trouble.
The most common and direct verb for harboring a person, especially a criminal or fugitive. Implies actively hiding and protecting them.
彼は逃亡者をかくまっている。
He is harboring a fugitive.
Same as かくまう but using the kanji 匿 (hide). Slightly more formal or literary.
彼女は犯人を匿った。
She harbored the criminal.
To protect or shield someone from harm or blame. Less about hiding and more about defending.
彼は友達をかばって嘘をついた。
He lied to protect his friend.
General verb for hiding something or someone. Can be used for harboring but is less specific.
彼らは地下室に彼を隠した。
They hid him in the basement.
To keep a feeling, suspicion, or grudge inside, often secretly or for a long time.
To harbor (feelings, hopes, doubts). Often used with abstract nouns like 疑い (suspicion), 希望 (hope), 恨み (grudge).
彼は長年恨みを抱いている。
He has been harboring a grudge for years.
彼女は密かに希望を抱いていた。
She secretly harbored hope.
A more general verb for 'have' or 'hold'. Can be used for harboring feelings, but less literary than 抱く.
彼は私に疑いを持っている。
He harbors suspicions about me.
To keep something hidden in one's heart; to harbor secretly. Emphasizes concealment.
彼女はその思いを心に秘めていた。
She harbored those feelings deep inside.
Literally 'to warm', but can mean to nurture or harbor (an idea, plan, or feeling) over time.
The legal act of knowingly concealing or assisting a criminal.
Legal term for harboring a criminal. Used in formal or legal contexts.
彼は犯人蔵匿の罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested for harboring a criminal.
Also used in legal contexts, but less formal than 犯人蔵匿.
逃亡者を匿うことは犯罪です。
Harboring a fugitive is a crime.
かくまう focuses on physically hiding someone, often illegally. かばう means to protect or defend someone from harm or criticism, not necessarily hiding them.
彼は弟をかばって先生に反抗した。
He defied the teacher to protect his younger brother.
Avoid directly translating 'harboring' as 港 (port/harbor). Use verbs like 抱く or 持つ for feelings.
彼は復讐の計画を温めていた。
He was harboring a plan for revenge.