預ける

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 預ける is read as あずける and is a transitive verb for entrusting care or safekeeping to a person or institution, including depositing money.
• Basic usage: The item entrusted takes を, while the recipient or place takes に, as in 猫を姉の家に預ける.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Direction versus 預かる
  • 預ける is the action of the person handing something over; 預かる is the action of the party receiving it for care or safekeeping.
• Safekeeping rather than transfer
  • The core meaning is temporary care, custody, or management, not necessarily transfer of ownership.