(かたぐるま)

かたぐるま
noun
riding on someone's shoulders; shoulder ride
body-partfamily
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.
(ちち)肩車(かたぐるま)してもらった
My father gave me a shoulder ride.
I carried my child on my shoulders at the fireworks festival.
人混(ひとご)(まえ)()えないで、肩車(かたぐるま)して()せてあげた
Since they couldn't see past the crowd, I put them on my shoulders so they could see.

Common patterns

Used with する: 肩車(かたぐるま)する (to give a shoulder ride) or 肩車(かたぐるま)する. The person being carried is not usually the subject — the carrier performs the action.

Usage

肩車(かたぐるま) is a warm, nostalgic word associated with childhood memories. It literally combines (かた) (shoulder) and (くるま) (vehicle), suggesting the shoulders as a kind of vehicle for the child.

Common collocations