1.
riding on someone's shoulders; shoulder ride; piggyback on shoulders
Carrying a person (usually a child) on one's shoulders, with their legs hanging down on either side of the carrier's neck. A common sight at festivals, parades, and family outings.
父に肩車をしてもらった。
My father gave me a shoulder ride.
花火大会で子供を肩車した。
I carried my child on my shoulders at the fireworks festival.
人混みで前が見えないので、肩車をして見せてあげた。
Since they couldn't see past the crowd, I put them on my shoulders so they could see.
GRAMMAR:
Used with する: 肩車する (to give a shoulder ride) or 肩車をする. The person being carried is not usually the subject — the carrier performs the action.
USAGE:
肩車 is a warm, nostalgic word associated with childhood memories. It literally combines 肩 (shoulder) and 車 (vehicle), suggesting the shoulders as a kind of vehicle for the child.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 肩車をする (to give a shoulder ride)
- 肩車をしてもらう (to get a shoulder ride)
- 子供を肩車する (to carry a child on one's shoulders)