荷(に)

に
noun
load; burden; baggage
transportationabstract
1. load; baggage; cargo
Goods or baggage being carried or transported. Often appears in compounds such as 荷物(にもつ) (luggage) rather than as a standalone word in modern speech.
荷(に)を背負(せお)う。
To carry a load on one's back.
重(おも)い荷(に)を馬(うま)に積(つ)んだ。
We loaded a heavy cargo onto the horse.
船(ふね)に荷(に)を積(つ)み込(こ)む作業(さぎょう)が続(つづ)いている。
The work of loading cargo onto the ship is still going on.
2. burden; responsibility
Figuratively, a weight of responsibility or worry that one must bear. Used in set expressions about feeling burdened or relieved.
試験(しけん)が終(お)わり、肩(かた)の荷(に)が下(お)りた。
The exam ended and a weight came off my shoulders.
この仕事(しごと)は私(わたし)には荷(に)が重(おも)すぎる。
This job is too heavy a burden for me.
親(おや)の介護(かいご)が大(おお)きな荷(に)になっている。
Caring for my parents has become a heavy burden.

Standalone 荷(に) is somewhat literary; most everyday uses appear in compounds or set expressions. The figurative 'burden' sense is the more common standalone use today.

Common expressions

general
Added 2026.5.28 13:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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