抱える

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 抱える is read as かかえる and is a transitive verb meaning to hold a person or object against the body or to shoulder a problem or responsibility.
• Basic usage: Holding a box against the body appears in 箱を抱える, while shouldering problems alone appears in 問題を一人で抱える.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Physical holding and figurative burdens
  • It covers both physically holding something in the arms and figuratively carrying concerns, work, or responsibility.
• Difference from 持つ
  • Compared with the broad verb for holding or possessing, this word more strongly suggests holding close to the body or carrying a burden.