頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える

あたまをかかえる
expression, verb phrase
to be at a loss; to be troubled; to hold one's head in one's hands
1. to be at a loss; to be troubled; to be deeply worried
To be so worried, troubled, or perplexed by a difficult situation that one holds one's head in distress. Expresses a state of being unable to find a solution or way forward.
借金(しゃっきん)の返済(へんさい)に頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている。
I'm troubled about paying back my debts.
人手不足(ひとでぶそく)で会社(かいしゃ)は頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている。
The company is troubled by a shortage of workers.
息子(むすこ)の進路(しんろ)について頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている。
I'm worrying about my son's future path.

IDIOM MEANING:
Literally "to hold one's head (in one's hands)." This describes the physical gesture of distress when overwhelmed by problems, and idiomatically means to be deeply troubled or at a loss.

GRAMMAR:
〜に頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える - to be troubled by/about ~
〜で頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える - to be troubled because of ~

CONJUGATION:

  • 頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える (present/future)
  • 頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている (progressive - currently troubled)
  • 頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えた (past)

COMMON CAUSES:

  • 問題(もんだい) - problems
  • 借金(しゃっきん) - debt
  • 人間関係(にんげんかんけい) - relationships
  • 仕事(しごと) - work
  • 子供(こども)のこと - matters concerning children

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 悩(なや)む - to worry, to be troubled
  • 困(こま)り果(は)てる - to be at wit's end
  • 途方(とほう)に暮(く)れる - to be at a loss
  • 頭(あたま)を悩(なや)ます - to rack one's brains
  • 手(て)を焼(や)く - to have trouble with

REGISTER:
Neutral. Common in everyday conversation and news reporting.

core
Added 2026.1.19 17:19 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
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