deposit · entrust

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is よ, and the kun readings are あずける and あずかる. It has 13 strokes. It appears in words for entrusting something and taking it into one’s care.
• Basic usage: 預ける is read あずける and 預かる is read あずかる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 預ける / 預かる
  • 預ける means entrust or deposit and is read あずける. It describes entrusting something, such as a cat or money, to another person or institution.
  • 旅行中は猫を姉の家に預けることにした。 means “I decided to leave my cat at my sister's house while traveling.”
  • 預かる means look after or hold for safekeeping and is read あずかる. It describes taking responsibility for another person’s cat or holding luggage for safekeeping.
  • 旅行中の友人から猫を三日間預かった。 means “I looked after a friend's cat for three days while the friend traveled.”