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肩を持つ (かたをもつ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

肩かたを持もつ

か

た

を

も

つ

JLPTN1

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-tsu)

side with; support; take someone's side

Used when you support or defend a particular person in a conflict or argument. Often implies partiality.

彼かれはいつも弟おとうとの肩かたを持もつ。
He always sides with his younger brother.
上じょう司しは私わたしの肩かたを持もっ

て

くれ

た

。

My boss supported me.

Written forms

肩かたを持もつ
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
肩かたをもつ
Kana spelling of the verb part; less common but still used.

Kanji

肩shoulder
持hold, have

Similar words

味み方かたする
味方する is a more general 'to side with' or 'to be an ally', while 肩を持つ often implies taking sides in a specific dispute or argument.

Etymology

The expression literally means 'to hold someone's shoulder', but the figurative origin is uncertain. It may come from the idea of physically supporting someone by holding their shoulder.