おんぶ
onbu[õ̞mbɯ̟]
To piggyback in Japanese is expressed as おんぶ (onbu). Wiktionary also lists 負ぶう (obuu).
Meaning: to carry someone on the back or shoulders (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| おんぶ | onbu | [õ̞mbɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 負ぶう | obuu | [o̞bɯ̟ɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term refers to the act of carrying someone on one's back or shoulders.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between carrying someone on your back and carrying them on your shoulders. おんぶ (onbu) refers specifically to carrying someone on your back.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun おんぶ into the verb 'to give a piggyback ride', add the verb する (suru) to create おんぶする.
How do you pronounce it?
onbu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word for 'piggyback' is closely linked to the concept of debt, as the kanji 負 is also used in 負債 (fusai) meaning 'debt' or 'liabilities'.
- The kanji for 負ぶう is the same character used in the word for 'defeat' or 'lose' in a game or war.
- While おんぶ is usually for children, the verb 負う is used in formal Japanese to describe taking on a heavy responsibility or a 'burden' of guilt.
Examples in context
- パパ、もう歩けないよ！ねえ、おんぶして！Daddy, I can't walk any more. Could you give me a piggyback ride?This sentence shows how a child might request an おんぶ.Tatoeba #1134603 by bunbuku, translation #1134607 by CK
- 彼女をおんぶするTo give one's girlfriend a piggyback rideThis sentence uses おんぶ to describe the act of giving someone a piggyback ride.
- 彼女を背負ってください。Please carry her on your back.
- 子供をおんぶするのは楽しいですね。It's fun to give kids piggyback rides, isn't it?
- 明日、あなたを背負ってやるよ。Tomorrow, I'll piggyback you.
- 背負ってくれる？Can you give me a piggyback?
- 子供と公園でおんぶするのが好きです。I enjoy giving kids piggyback rides at the park.
- おんぶは、少し大変です。onbu wa, sukoshi taihen desu.Giving a piggyback is a bit difficult.
Example conversation
A park where a young couple is walking.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、疲れた？Misaki, tsukareta?Misaki, are you tired?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、もう足が痛いよ。Un, mou ashi ga itai yo.Yeah, my legs hurt already.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、おんぶしてあげようか？Jaa, onbu shite ageyou ka?Then, shall I give you a piggyback?
- 美咲 Misaki本当？ありがとう、大翔！Hontou? Arigatou, Hiroto!Really? Thank you, Hiroto!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piggyback” translations and entries おんぶ, 負ぶう, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
