(まかな)

まかなう
verb (godan)
to provide meals; to cover expenses; to manage
他動詞 transitivefoodfinance
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present(まかな)(まかな)わない
Present polite(まかな)います(まかな)いません
Past(まかな)った(まかな)わなかった
Past polite(まかな)いました(まかな)いませんでした
て form(まかな)って(まかな)わなくて
ている present(まかな)っている(まかな)っていない
ている polite(まかな)っています(まかな)っていません
ている past(まかな)っていた(まかな)っていなかった
ている past polite(まかな)っていました(まかな)っていませんでした
Conditional ば(まかな)えば(まかな)わなければ
Conditional たら(まかな)ったら(まかな)わなかったら
Volitional(まかな)おう
Volitional polite(まかな)いましょう
Potential(まかな)える(まかな)えない
Passive(まかな)われる(まかな)われない
Causative(まかな)わせる(まかな)わせない
Imperative(まかな)(まかな)うな
1. to provide meals; to feed
to prepare and serve food, especially for workers, guests, or staff
The company cafeteria provides lunch.
I single-handedly provided the food for the big event.
(りょう)三食(さんしょく)(まかな)()だ。
The dormitory includes three meals a day.
2. to cover expenses; to finance
to pay for or provide the funds needed for something
費用(ひよう)寄付金(きふきん)(まかな)われている
The costs are covered by donations.
Will I be able to cover my living expenses with just my income?
It's becoming difficult to cover expenses with sales revenue.

(まかな)う has two main meanings: providing food and covering costs.

Sense 1 - food

Originally referred to managing household affairs and preparing meals.

  • Common in contexts of catering, staff meals, or group dining
  • Related noun: (まかな)い (staff meal at restaurants)

Sense 2 - finances

Extended to mean covering or financing expenses.

Common collocations

RELATED NOUN まかない:
(まかな)い refers to staff meals at restaurants, a beloved aspect of food service culture.

Transitivity

Transitive verb. Takes for the object being provided or covered.

Register: Neutral. Common in both everyday and business contexts.