抱(かか)える

抱(かか)える is an ichidan verb with both physical and figurative meanings.

Transitivity

• Type: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)
• Takes を for the object held or borne

ASPECT (ている):
抱(かか)えている means "is holding" (physical) or "has / is burdened with" (figurative).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (hold in one's arms):

• 荷物(にもつ)を抱(かか)える: to carry luggage in one's arms
• 赤(あか)ちゃんを抱(かか)える: to hold a baby
• 膝(ひざ)を抱(かか)える: to hug one's knees

USAGE (to have, to be burdened with):

• 問題(もんだい)を抱(かか)える: to have problems
• 借金(しゃっきん)を抱(かか)える: to be burdened with debt
• 不安(ふあん)を抱(かか)える: to have anxiety
• 悩(なや)みを抱(かか)える: to have worries
• 社員(しゃいん)を抱(かか)える: to have employees (on staff)

Similar words

• 抱(だ)く means to hug or embrace, with the arms wrapped around someone.
• 持(も)つ is the ordinary word for holding something in the hand.
• 抱(かか)える is holding something bulky against the body with the arms, and is the only one of the three used for bearing burdens figuratively.