1.
to provide meals; to feed
to prepare and serve food, especially for workers, guests, or staff
社員食堂で昼食を賄う。
The company cafeteria provides lunch.
大きなイベントの食事を一人で賄った。
I single-handedly provided the food for the big event.
2.
to cover expenses; to finance
to pay for or provide the funds needed for something
費用は寄付金で賄われている。
The costs are covered by donations.
自分の収入だけで生活費を賄えるだろうか。
Will I be able to cover my living expenses with just my income?
賄う 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: 賄い (staff meal at restaurants)
SENSE 2 - FINANCES:
Extended to mean covering or financing expenses.
- Often used in passive: 費用が賄われる
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 食事を賄う (to provide meals)
- 費用を賄う (to cover costs)
- 経費を賄う (to cover expenses)
- 賄い付き (with meals included)
RELATED NOUN まかない:
賄い refers to staff meals at restaurants, a beloved aspect of food service culture.
TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive verb. Takes を for the object being provided or covered.
REGISTER: Neutral. Common in both everyday and business contexts.