What does “sasaeru” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “sasaeru” to mean ‘to support’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “sasaeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meaning of “sasaeru”
- Sasaenai: the nai form of “sasaeru”
- Sasaeyou: the volitional form of “sasaeru”
- Sasaemasu: the masu form of “sasaeru”
- Sasaeta: the ta form of “sasaeru”
- Sasaete: the te form of “sasaeru”
- Sasaereba: the ba form of “sasaeru”
- Summary
Definition and meaning of “sasaeru”
Let me start with the definition and meaning of “sasaeru”.
- sasaeru – 支える (ささえる) : a verb meaning ‘to support’ in Japanese.
The definition and meaning are simple and clear. Let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “support” in Japanese
watashi tachi wa itsumo musume wo sasaeru – 私達はいつも娘を支える (わたしたちはいつもむすめをささえる)
We always support our daughter.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “watashi” to make its plural form, “watashi tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “watashi tachi” to make the subject in the sentence.
- itsumo – いつも : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘always’ in Japanese.
- musume – 娘 (むすめ) : a noun meaning ‘daughter’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “musume” to make the object in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “sasaeru”. In the example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object. When we want to mean ‘to support’ in Japanese, anyway, this verb is a good option.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “sasaeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “sasaenai”.
Sasaenai: the nai form of “sasaeru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “sasaenai”.
- sasaenai – 支えない (ささえない) : the nai form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘not to support’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “sasaenai” consists of the following two parts:
- sasae – 支え (ささえ) : one conjugation of “sasaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “sasaenai” is literally the nai form of “sasaeru” and means ‘not to support’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “not support” in Japanese
kanojo wa watashi tachi wo sasaenai – 彼女は私達を支えない (かのじょはわたしたちをささえない)
She doesn’t support us.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “sasaenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to support’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.
Sasaeyou: the volitional form of “sasaeru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “sasaeyou”.
- sasaeyou – 支えよう (ささえよう) : the volitional form of “sasaeru”, which expresses volition to support.
Grammatically, “sasaeyou” consists of the following two parts:
- sasae – 支え (ささえ) : one conjugation of “sasaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
- you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “sasaeyou” is literally the volitional form of “sasaeru” and expresses volition to support. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “let’s support” in Japanese
issho ni karera wo sasaeyou – 一緒に彼等を支えよう (いっしょにかれらをささえよう)
Let’s support them together!
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- issho – 一緒 (いっしょ) : a noun meaning ‘same’, ‘being together’, or such in Japanese.
- ni – に : a case particle used to say how someone does something. In the example, this is used after “issho” to say “together” in Japanese.
- karera – 彼等 (かれら) : a pronoun meaning ‘they’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “sasaeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s support” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.
Sasaemasu: the masu form of “sasaeru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “sasaemasu”.
- sasaemasu – 支えます (ささえます) : the masu form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘to support’ politely in Japanese.
Grammatically, “sasaemasu” consists of the following two parts:
- sasae – 支え (ささえ) : one conjugation of “sasaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “sasaemasu” is literally the masu form of “sasaeru” and means ‘to support’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “support” politely in Japanese
kanojo wa koibito wo sasaemasu – 彼女は恋人を支えます (かのじょはこいびとをささえます)
She supports her partner.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- koibito – 恋人 (こいびと) : a noun meaning ‘partner’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “sasaemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “support” politely in Japanese, this form is a very good option.
Sasaeta: the ta form of “sasaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “sasaeta”.
- sasaeta – 支えた (ささえた) : the ta form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘supported’ or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “sasaeta” consists of the following two parts:
- sasae – 支え (ささえ) : one conjugation of “sasaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “sasaeta” is literally the ta form of “sasaeru” and means ‘supported’ or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “supported” in Japanese
watashi tachi wa kodomo tachi no gakkou seikatsu wo sasaeta – 私達は子供達の学校生活を支えた (わたしたちはこどもたちのがっこうせいかつをささえた)
We supported our children’s school lives.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kodomo – 子供 (こども) : a noun meaning ‘child’ or ‘kid’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- no – の : a case particle used after a noun or pronoun to make its possessive case. In the example, this is used after “kodomo tachi” to make its possessive case, “kodomo tachi no”, which means “our children’s” in Japanese.
- gakkou – 学校 (がっこう) : a noun meaning ‘school’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- seikatsu – 生活 (せいかつ) : a noun meaning ‘life’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. In the example, this works together with “gakkou” to mean ‘school lives’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “sasaeta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “sasaeru”, this ta form is the best option.
Sasaete: the te form of “sasaeru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “sasaete”.
- sasaete – 支えて (ささえて) : the te form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘to support’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “sasaete” consists of the following two parts:
- sasae – 支え (ささえ) : one conjugation of “sasaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “sasaete” is literally the te form of “sasaeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “sasaete” is very useful when we want to use “sasaeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #6: how to say “please support” in Japanese
kodomo no yume wo sasaete kudasai – 子供の夢を支えてください (こどものゆめをささえてください)
Please support your children’s dreams.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- yume – 夢 (ゆめ) : a noun meaning ‘dream’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the example, this works like an auxiliary verb after “sasaete” to add the meaning of ‘please’.
This is a typical usage of “sasaete”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “kudasai”. When we want to use “sasaeru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
Sasaereba: the ba form of “sasaeru”
Lastly, let me explain the definition and meaning of “sasaereba”.
- sasaereba – 支えれば (ささえれば) : the ba form of “sasaeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to support’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “sasaereba” consists of the following two parts:
- sasaere – 支えれ (ささえれ) : one conjugation of “sasaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “sasaereba” is literally the ba form of “sasaeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “sasaereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to support’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #7: how to say “if support” in Japanese
kodomo wo sasaereba, karera no yume ga kanau – 子供を支えれば、彼等の夢が叶う (こどもをささえれば、かれらのゆめがかなう)
If you support your children, their dreams will come true.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “karera no yume” to make the subject in the second clause.
- kanau – 叶う (かなう) : a verb meaning ‘to come true’ or such in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “sasaereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “kodomo wo sasaereba”, which means ‘if you support your children’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to support’ in Japanese, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “sasaeru” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- sasaeru – 支える (ささえる) : a verb meaning ‘to support’ in Japanese.
- sasaenai – 支えない (ささえない) : the nai form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘not to support’ in Japanese.
- sasaeyou – 支えよう (ささえよう) : the volitional form of “sasaeru”, which expresses volition to support.
- sasaemasu – 支えます (ささえます) : the masu form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘to support’ politely in Japanese.
- sasaeta – 支えた (ささえた) : the ta form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘supported’ or such in Japanese.
- sasaete – 支えて (ささえて) : the te form of “sasaeru”, which means ‘to support’ in Japanese. When we want to use “sasaeru” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
- sasaereba – 支えれば (ささえれば) : the ba form of “sasaeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to support’ in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
