Meaning and Usage
The verb 賄う (まかなう) primarily means to provide meals or board, often used in contexts like companies or organizations supplying food to employees. It also means to cover or pay expenses, such as travel costs or other financial needs. Additionally, it can imply managing or handling tasks or responsibilities, like balancing work and household duties.
Common Collocations
- 賄う費用 (まかなうひよう): to cover expenses, used when talking about paying for costs.
- 食事を賄う (しょくじをまかなう): to provide meals, common in workplace or event contexts.
- 仕事を賄う (しごとをまかなう): to manage or handle work, often implying self-sufficiency.
Register and Nuance
賄う is a formal verb often found in written or polite spoken Japanese. It is not casual and is suitable for business or official contexts. When used about meals, it implies provision rather than just eating. When used about expenses or tasks, it suggests covering or managing comprehensively.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 賄う with 食べる (to eat) or 支払う (to pay). Remember, 賄う focuses on the act of providing or covering, not just consuming or paying. For example, 賄う費用 means to cover expenses, not just to pay them casually.
Understanding these nuances will help you use 賄う accurately in various formal and practical situations.