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頭を抱える

B1 noun 10분 분량

頭を抱える

atama o kakaeru

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 頭を抱える 30초 만에

설명 頭を抱える in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '頭を抱える' (atama o kakaeru) yet, but it's good to know it means someone is very, very worried. Think of it like this: 'Atama' is head, and 'kakaeru' is like holding a big bag. So, you are holding your head because you have a big problem. Usually, you learn 'komaru' (to be in trouble) first. 'Atama o kakaeru' is like a much stronger version of 'komaru'. If you see a picture of a person with their hands on their head, that is 'atama o kakaeru'. You might see this in simple stories or anime. Even if you can't say it perfectly, if you hear 'atama' and see someone looking sad, you can guess they are 'holding their head' over a problem. It's a very visual phrase! Just remember: it's not for when your head hurts from a cold, it's for when you have a big 'Oh no!' moment.

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For A2 learners, '頭を抱える' is a great 'idiom' to start using to make your Japanese sound more natural. At this level, you know 'atama' (head) and maybe you've heard 'kakaeru' (to hold/carry). When you put them together, it means someone is facing a difficult situation. You can use it when you are talking about homework that is too hard or when you lost your wallet. For example, 'Shukudai ga muzukashikute, atama o kakaemashita' (The homework was so hard, I held my head in my hands). It helps you describe *how* you feel troubled, not just *that* you are troubled. It's a transitive verb phrase, so you use the particle 'o' (を). It's very common in daily life, especially when talking about things that go wrong. Try to use it instead of just saying 'taihen desu' (it's tough) to add more detail to your stories.

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At the B1 level, '頭を抱える' is a key vocabulary item for describing complex emotional and situational states. You should understand that this phrase is used when a problem is not easily solved. It's perfect for discussing social issues, work challenges, or difficult personal decisions. At this stage, you should be comfortable using the 'te-iru' form ('atama o kakaete iru') to describe an ongoing state of distress. For example, 'Keiei-nan ni atama o kakaete iru' (Struggling with financial difficulties). You should also notice how it appears in news articles or more formal contexts. It's not just a physical action; it's a metaphor for intellectual and emotional struggle. You can start using it to express empathy for others, like saying 'Sore wa atama o kakaeru mondai desu ne' (That's a head-holding problem/a real stumper, isn't it?). It shows you understand the gravity of the situation.

By B2, you should be able to distinguish '頭を抱える' from similar expressions like '頭を痛める' (to rack one's brains/worry about) or '途方に暮れる' (to be at a loss). '頭を抱える' has a slightly more 'reactive' and 'heavy' nuance. It's often used when an unexpected problem arises and you are physically or mentally stopped by it. You should also be able to use it in passive or causative structures if necessary, though the standard active form is most common. In business Japanese, you'll see this in reports about market trends or project failures. 'Kono mondai ni wa, kankei-sha zen-in ga atama o kakaeta' (All parties involved were troubled by this issue). You should also be aware of the register—it's neutral enough for most situations but carries a strong visual impact. Using it correctly shows a high level of cultural and linguistic competence because you are using a somatic metaphor correctly.

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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic value of '頭を抱える' in literature and high-level journalism. It is often used to personify entities like 'the nation' or 'the industry' to emphasize the scale of a crisis. You should be able to use it fluently in nuanced discussions about politics, economics, or philosophy. For instance, 'Kindai tetsugaku ga atama o kakaeta nanda' (The difficult problem that modern philosophy struggled with). You should also be able to pair it with advanced adverbs like 'shinkoku ni' (seriously) or 'hisetsu ni' (keenly) to modify the intensity. Furthermore, you should understand how it contrasts with more academic terms like 'kuryo suru' (to struggle with a decision). While 'kuryo suru' is purely intellectual, 'atama o kakaeru' retains a human, visceral element that can be used to make your writing more evocative and persuasive.

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For C2 mastery, '頭を抱える' becomes a tool for precise rhetorical effect. You understand its historical roots in Japanese somatic expression and can use it to create specific imagery in creative writing or sophisticated oratory. You can use it to describe the 'aporia' of a situation—where all paths lead to a dead end. At this level, you might also explore its use in historical texts or classical-style modern prose. You are also aware of how it interacts with other 'head' idioms (like 'atama ga sagaru' or 'atama ni kuru') to create a cohesive emotional landscape in your speech. You can use it ironically or hyperbolically with perfect timing. Your mastery isn't just about knowing the meaning, but about knowing exactly when the 'weight' of 'kakaeru' is the perfect word to describe the specific gravity of the existential or situational crisis at hand.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

頭を抱える 30초 만에

An idiom meaning to be deeply troubled or at a loss due to a difficult problem.
Literally 'to hold one's head,' representing mental distress and situational paralysis.
Commonly used in business, news, and daily life for serious dilemmas.
Often paired with the particle 'ni' to indicate the cause of the worry.

The Japanese expression 頭を抱える (atama o kakaeru) is a vivid idiomatic phrase that literally translates to 'to hold one's head' or 'to cradle one's head in one's hands.' While it can describe a physical action, its primary use in Japanese is metaphorical, representing a state of deep distress, overwhelming worry, or being faced with a problem that seems to have no clear solution. It is the linguistic equivalent of 'tearing one's hair out' or 'being at one's wits' end,' though it carries a more somber, contemplative weight in Japanese culture. When you visualize someone atama o kakaeru, you see a person sitting at a desk, elbows propped up, fingers interlaced over their scalp or palms pressing against their temples, physically trying to contain the pressure of their thoughts. This expression transcends simple 'sadness' or 'difficulty'; it implies a specific type of intellectual or situational paralysis where the weight of the issue is so heavy that the person feels the need to physically support their head.

Literal Meaning: To hold or carry (抱える) one's head (頭) in one's arms/hands.
Figurative Nuance: To be deeply troubled by a difficult problem, to be perplexed, or to be at a loss for what to do next.
Emotional Intensity: Indicates a high level of stress or serious concern, often related to responsibility or unsolvable dilemmas.

多額の借金を前に、彼は頭を抱えた。(Faced with a large amount of debt, he held his head in his hands.)

In a professional context, this phrase is frequently used when a project hits a major roadblock or when financial losses are mounting. It isn't just about a mistake; it's about the consequences of that mistake. For example, a manager might 'hold their head' when a key employee quits right before a deadline. In personal life, it might be used when dealing with complex family issues or academic failures. The verb 抱える (kakaeru) is particularly interesting here; it usually refers to carrying something heavy in one's arms, like a large box or a child. By using 抱える instead of a simple verb like 持つ (motsu - to hold), the language emphasizes that the 'problem' is a heavy burden that the person is physically supporting. This adds a layer of gravity to the expression that is often missed by learners who treat it as a synonym for 'worried.'

あまりの難問に数学者たちも頭を抱えている。(Even mathematicians are scratching their heads/troubled by such a difficult problem.)

Culturally, Japanese communication often relies on describing physical states to imply internal emotions (a concept known as 'somatic metaphors'). Expressions like 'stomach stands up' (hara ga tatsu - to get angry) or 'neck doesn't turn' (kubi ga mawaranai - to be tied up with debt) are common. 頭を抱える fits perfectly into this linguistic tradition. It allows the speaker to convey a sense of 'hopelessness' or 'extreme difficulty' without necessarily using overly emotional or dramatic adjectives. It is a very 'safe' but expressive phrase to use in both formal business reports and casual conversations with friends. It suggests that the person is actively thinking and struggling, rather than just giving up. It is the sign of a serious mind dealing with a serious matter.

Using 頭を抱える correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure as a transitive verb phrase. The object is always 頭 (atama), and the action is 抱える (kakaeru). You will almost always see the particle を (o) used to link them. Because this is an idiomatic expression, you rarely change the 'head' part, but you can change the tense and formality of the 'hold' part to fit your sentence. The most common forms are the past tense (抱えた) to describe a reaction to a specific event, and the continuous form (抱えている) to describe an ongoing state of being troubled.

Causal Connection: Often preceded by 'ni' (に) or 'de' (で) to indicate the cause of the worry. For example: 'Problem に頭を抱える'.
Subject Placement: The person 'holding their head' is the subject. In Japanese, this subject is often omitted if it is clear from context.

不景気で、経営者は皆頭を抱えています。(Due to the recession, all business owners are troubled.)

When describing someone else, using 〜ている is standard because it describes an observable state. When talking about yourself, you might use 抱えてしまった to express a sense of regret or accidental realization of how bad a situation is. It is also important to note that this phrase can be used for both 'serious' and 'mildly annoying' situations, depending on the tone. However, it usually leans towards the serious. If you use it for a trivial matter, like choosing between two flavors of ice cream, it becomes hyperbolic and humorous.

子供の反抗期に、親は頭を抱えるものだ。(It is natural for parents to be at their wits' end during their child's rebellious phase.)

In writing, especially in news headlines or novels, you might see it used to describe a collective group. For instance, 'The government is holding its head over the declining birthrate' (政府は少子化問題に頭を抱えている). This personification of an organization adds a dramatic flair, suggesting that the problem is so severe that even a faceless entity like 'the government' is physically stressed by it. When using this in your own Japanese, try to pair it with specific nouns like 問題 (mondai - problem), 悩み (nayami - worry), or 不祥事 (fushouji - scandal) to provide clear context for what is causing the distress.

You will encounter 頭を抱える in a wide variety of settings, ranging from high-stakes business meetings to casual TV dramas. In the workplace, it is a common way to describe a project that has gone off the rails. You might hear a colleague say, 'The client changed the specs again, and the developers are atama o kakaeteiru.' This conveys a much stronger sense of 'we are in trouble' than simply saying 'we are busy.' It suggests a loss of direction or an impossible set of constraints.

News & Media: Headlines often use this to describe politicians or celebrities facing scandals or difficult policy decisions.
Anime & Manga: Characters will physically perform this action while the phrase is used in dialogue to emphasize their comical or serious despair.

ニュース：『増税案に国民は頭を抱えている』(News: 'Citizens are troubled by the tax increase proposal.')

In television dramas (especially police procedurals or medical shows), the lead character will often atama o kakaeru when a case becomes unsolvable or a patient's condition worsens. It serves as a visual and linguistic shorthand for 'the climax of the conflict.' Furthermore, in the world of sports, commentators use it when a coach's strategy fails or when a player makes a devastating error. 'The manager is holding his head in the dugout' is a classic line in baseball or soccer broadcasts in Japan.

ドラマの台詞：「こんなに予算が足りないなんて、プロデューサーも頭を抱えるよ。」(Drama line: 'With the budget being this short, even the producer will be at a loss.')

Socially, you might hear this among friends when discussing life's big hurdles—like job hunting (shukatsu) or difficult exams. It's a way to garner empathy. By saying you are 'holding your head,' you are signaling to the listener that the problem is not just a minor inconvenience but something that is taking up all your mental energy. It invites the listener to offer support or advice. In this sense, the phrase acts as a social bridge, connecting the speaker's internal distress to an external, understandable image.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 頭を抱える is using it to describe a literal physical ailment, such as a headache. If your head hurts because of a cold or a migraine, you should say 頭が痛い (atama ga itai). While 'atama ga itai' can *also* be used metaphorically to mean 'this is a headache/problem,' 頭を抱える is strictly about the emotional and intellectual struggle of dealing with a problem. You 'hold your head' because you are thinking too hard or are distressed, not because of physical pain.

Mistake: Confusion with 'Atama ga itai': Using 'atama o kakaeru' when you need an aspirin. Correct: 'Atama ga itai'.
Mistake: Particle Error: Using 'ga' instead of 'o'. It must be 'atama o kakaeru' because you are the one doing the holding to your head.

❌ 風邪をひいて、頭を抱えている。(Incorrect: Holding head because of a cold.)
✅ 風邪をひいて、頭が痛い。(Correct: My head hurts because of a cold.)

Another mistake is overusing the phrase for very minor issues. Because 抱える implies a heavy burden, using it for something like 'I can't decide which movie to watch' can sound a bit dramatic or even sarcastic. If you want to say you are just a little bit troubled, 困る (komaru) or 悩む (nayamu) are much more appropriate. Save 頭を抱える for when the situation feels truly difficult or when you want to emphasize the gravity of the problem.

❌ 消しゴムを忘れて、頭を抱えた。(Incorrect: Too dramatic for forgetting an eraser.)
✅ 消しゴムを忘れて、困った。(Correct: I was in a fix because I forgot my eraser.)

Lastly, be careful with the verb 抱く (idaku/daku). While it also means 'to hold' or 'to embrace,' it is not used in this idiom. 抱える specifically refers to carrying something in front of you or supporting a weight, which is the exact physical metaphor required for 'holding one's head' in distress. Using 頭を抱く would sound like you are hugging your own head in a romantic or weirdly affectionate way, which is definitely not the intended meaning!

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for expressing 'being troubled.' Understanding the nuances between 頭を抱える and its synonyms will help you sound more like a native speaker. The most direct synonym is 途方に暮れる (tohou ni kureru), which means 'to be at a loss' or 'not to know which way to turn.' While 頭を抱える emphasizes the struggle and the weight of the problem, 途方に暮れる emphasizes the confusion and the lack of a path forward.

頭を抱える vs. 途方に暮れる: Use 'atama o kakaeru' for heavy mental stress. Use 'tohou ni kureru' when you literally don't know what the next step is.
頭を抱える vs. 悩み抜く: 'Nayaminuku' means to worry through to the end. It suggests a more active, prolonged process of thinking than the reactive 'atama o kakaeru'.

道に迷って途方に暮れる。(To be at a loss after getting lost.) vs. 難問に頭を抱える。(To struggle with a difficult problem.)

Another alternative is 困り果てる (komari-hateru), which means 'to be completely at a loss' or 'to be utterly stumped.' The suffix 〜果てる adds a sense of 'exhaustion' or 'reaching the limit.' This is very similar to 頭を抱える but is slightly more colloquial. If you are writing a formal report, 苦慮する (kuryo suru) is the preferred academic/business term. It literally means 'to take pains in considering' or 'to rack one's brains.' It carries the same weight as 'holding one's head' but sounds much more professional and detached.

政府は対応に苦慮している。(The government is struggling/taking pains to respond.)

Finally, consider 思案に暮れる (shian ni kureru), which means to be lost in thought or to be brooding over something. This is a more literary and poetic way to describe someone who is deeply troubled. While 頭を抱える feels immediate and visceral, 思案に暮れる feels quiet and internal. Choosing between these depends on the 'vibe' of your sentence. If you want to show the physical toll of the worry, stick with the 'head-holding' metaphor. If you want to show the depth of the intellectual processing, use 'shian ni kureru' or 'kuryo suru'.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The verb 'kakaeru' is also used for carrying debt (shakkin o kakaeru), showing a consistent link between this verb and 'heavy burdens' in the Japanese mind.

발음 가이드

UK /əˈtɑːmə oʊ kəˈkaɪruː/

US /əˈtɑmɑ oʊ kɑkɑɛru/

Japanese is mora-timed, so each syllable gets equal weight. The pitch drops after 'ta' in 'Atama' (in some dialects) but usually it's relatively flat.

라임이 맞는 단어

Kakaeru rhymes with: Tataeru (to praise) Osaeru (to suppress) Kanaeru (to grant) Mukaeru (to welcome) Ataeru (to give) Toraeru (to catch) Kamaeru (to set up) Sasaeru (to support)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing 'kakaeru' like 'kakiru'.
Stressing the 'o' particle too much.
Misplacing the 'o' particle with 'ga'.
Confusing the 'ka' sounds in 'kakaeru'.
Eliding the final 'u' too much in formal speech.

난이도

독해 3/5

Kanji for Atama is basic; Kakaeru is B1 level.

쓰기 4/5

Writing 'Kakaeru' (抱える) correctly takes practice.

말하기 2/5

Easy to say and very useful in conversation.

듣기 2/5

Distinctive sound and often accompanied by visual cues.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

頭 (Head) 持つ (To hold) 困る (To be in trouble) 問題 (Problem) を (Particle)

다음에 배울 것

途方に暮れる頭を痛める手を焼く苦慮する思案する

고급

懊悩 (Agony) 葛藤 (Conflict) 桎梏 (Shackles/Fetters) 隘路 (Bottleneck)

알아야 할 문법

Particle を (Object Marker)

頭『を』抱える

Te-iru (State/Continuous)

頭を抱え『ている』

Causal に/で

問題『に』頭を抱える

Shimau (Regret/Completion)

頭を抱えて『しまった』

Hodo (Degree)

頭を抱える『ほど』難しい

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수준별 예문

テストがむずかしくて、頭を抱えました。

The test was difficult, so I held my head.

Past tense: kakaemashita.

おかねがなくて、頭を抱えています。

I have no money, so I am troubled.

Continuous state: kakaete-imasu.

かぎをなくして、頭を抱えました。

I lost my keys and was at a loss.

Simple past reaction.

どうしよう！と頭を抱える。

Holding one's head saying 'What should I do!'.

Direct quote + verb.

おとうさんは、仕事で頭を抱えています。

Dad is troubled by his work.

Topic marker 'wa' + cause 'de'.

むずかしい本を読んで、頭を抱える。

Reading a difficult book and being troubled.

Te-form for sequence of events.

道がわからなくて、頭を抱えた。

I didn't know the way and was troubled.

Negative 'nakute' showing cause.

みんな、その問題に頭を抱えました。

Everyone was troubled by that problem.

Group subject + 'ni' for target.

パソコンが壊れて、彼は頭を抱えてしまった。

The computer broke, and he ended up holding his head.

Chau/Shimau indicates regret.

宿題の量が多すぎて、学生は頭を抱えている。

There is too much homework, and the student is troubled.

Sugiru (too much) + state.

料理を失敗して、彼女は頭を抱えた。

She failed at cooking and was at a loss.

Standard past tense.

道に迷ったとき、頭を抱えたくなります。

When I get lost, I feel like holding my head.

Tai form (wanting to do).

おもちゃが壊れて、子供が頭を抱えている。

The toy broke, and the child is troubled.

Describing a child's state.

雨が降ってきて、洗濯物のことで頭を抱えた。

It started raining, and I was troubled about the laundry.

No koto de (about the matter of).

財布を忘れて、レジの前で頭を抱えた。

I forgot my wallet and was troubled in front of the register.

Location marker 'de'.

難しい漢字がたくさんあって、頭を抱える。

There are many difficult kanji, and I am troubled.

Listing reasons with 'te'.

予算が足りなくて、プロジェクトリーダーは頭を抱えている。

The project leader is troubled because the budget is insufficient.

Professional context.

急な仕様変更に、エンジニアたちは頭を抱えた。

The engineers were at a loss due to the sudden spec changes.

Target of distress 'ni'.

深刻な人手不足に、どの店も頭を抱えているようだ。

It seems every shop is struggling with a serious labor shortage.

Youda (seems like).

子供の将来について、親は頭を抱えることが多い。

Parents often worry deeply about their children's future.

Koto ga ooi (often happens).

複雑な人間関係に、彼女はいつも頭を抱えている。

She is always troubled by complex interpersonal relationships.

Abstract noun 'kankei'.

相次ぐトラブルに、現場のスタッフは頭を抱えた。

The staff on-site were at a loss due to successive troubles.

Aitsugu (successive).

借金の返済プランが立てられず、彼は頭を抱えている。

Unable to make a debt repayment plan, he is troubled.

Potential negative 'zu' (cannot).

環境問題の解決策が見つからず、世界中が頭を抱えている。

The whole world is struggling as no solution for environmental issues is found.

Global/collective subject.

不祥事の対応をめぐって、役員会は頭を抱えた。

The board of directors was at a loss regarding the response to the scandal.

O megutte (concerning).

少子高齢化という難題に、政府は長年頭を抱え続けている。

The government has been struggling with the difficult problem of the declining birthrate and aging population for years.

Tsudukete-iru (continuing to).

あまりにも膨大なデータ量に、解析チームは頭を抱えた。

The analysis team was overwhelmed by the enormous amount of data.

Amarini mo (excessively).

経営方針の食い違いに、創業者たちは頭を抱えている。

The founders are troubled by the discrepancy in management policies.

Kuichigai (discrepancy).

円安の影響で、輸入業者は皆頭を抱えている状況だ。

Due to the weak yen, all importers are in a situation where they are troubled.

Joukyou da (it is a situation where...).

予期せぬシステムの不具合に、開発部は頭を抱えてしまった。

The development department ended up being at a loss over the unexpected system glitch.

Yoki-senu (unexpected).

原材料の高騰により、メーカーはコスト削減に頭を抱えている。

Due to the soaring cost of raw materials, manufacturers are struggling with cost cutting.

Niyori (due to).

伝統の継承者がおらず、その職人は頭を抱えていた。

With no successor for the tradition, the craftsman was deeply troubled.

Narrative past.

倫理的なジレンマを前にして、科学者たちは頭を抱えた。

Faced with an ethical dilemma, the scientists were at a loss.

O mae ni shite (faced with).

その法案の矛盾点について、法曹界全体が頭を抱えている。

The entire legal profession is struggling with the contradictions in that bill.

Legal/Academic context.

解釈の多様性に、文学研究者たちは頭を抱えることになった。

Literary researchers ended up being troubled by the diversity of interpretations.

Koto ni natta (it turned out that...).

市場の予測不可能な変動に、投資家たちは頭を抱えざるを得ない。

Investors cannot help but be troubled by the unpredictable fluctuations of the market.

Zaru o enai (cannot help but).

歴史的な背景の複雑さに、歴史家も頭を抱えるほどの難問だ。

It is such a difficult problem that even historians are troubled by the complexity of the historical background.

Hodo no (to the extent of).

外交上の行き詰まりに、首相は頭を抱えていると報じられた。

It was reported that the Prime Minister is troubled by the diplomatic stalemate.

Passive reporting 'houjirareta'.

AIの急速な進化に伴う社会不安に、哲学者たちは頭を抱えている。

Philosophers are struggling with the social anxiety accompanying the rapid evolution of AI.

Ni tomonau (accompanying).

その都市の再開発計画は、住民の反対により頭を抱える事態となった。

The city's redevelopment plan became a situation where everyone was troubled due to resident opposition.

Jitai to natta (became a situation).

存在論的な問いの深淵を前に、彼はただ頭を抱えるのみであった。

Faced with the abyss of ontological questions, he could only hold his head.

Nomi de atta (was only).

言語の壁という根源的な制約に、翻訳家は常に頭を抱え続けている。

Translators are constantly struggling with the fundamental constraint known as the language barrier.

Kongen-teki (fundamental).

国家のアイデンティティの再定義という重責に、指導者は頭を抱えた。

The leader was troubled by the heavy responsibility of redefining the national identity.

Juuseki (heavy responsibility).

資本主義の構造的矛盾を前に、経済学界は頭を抱えるばかりだ。

The economic world can do nothing but be troubled by the structural contradictions of capitalism.

Bakari da (nothing but).

真理の探究における不可知論的な壁に、彼は頭を抱え、懊悩した。

He held his head and agonized over the agnostic wall in the pursuit of truth.

Ounou (agonize).

芸術の商業化という現実に、若き芸術家は頭を抱え、筆を止めた。

Faced with the reality of the commercialization of art, the young artist held his head and stopped his brush.

Literary sequence.

文明の衝突という不可避な運命に、知識人たちは頭を抱えている。

Intellectuals are struggling with the inevitable fate known as the clash of civilizations.

Fukahi (inevitable).

自己の内部に潜む狂気と対峙し、彼は頭を抱えて叫んだ。

Confronting the madness lurking within himself, he held his head and screamed.

Psychological/Literary.

자주 쓰는 조합

難問に頭を抱える

不景気に頭を抱える

対応に頭を抱える

不祥事に頭を抱える

人手不足に頭を抱える

借金に頭を抱える

反抗期に頭を抱える

赤字に頭を抱える

仕様変更に頭を抱える

処分に頭を抱える

자주 쓰는 구문

頭を抱え込む

— A more intense version, implying deeply 'tucking' one's head in worry.

彼は机で頭を抱え込んでいた。

思わず頭を抱える

— To hold one's head instinctively out of shock or distress.

あまりの惨状に思わず頭を抱えた。

頭を抱えるほど

— To the extent that one wants to hold their head (used as a modifier).

頭を抱えるほど難しい問題だ。

一緒に頭を抱える

— To struggle with a problem alongside someone else.

チーム全員で頭を抱えている。

頭を抱えるしかない

— There is nothing to do but be troubled (no solution).

現状では頭を抱えるしかない。

頭を抱えさせる

— To cause someone else great trouble or worry.

彼は親を頭を抱えさせてばかりだ。

頭を抱える場面

— A scene or situation where one is deeply troubled.

映画の中で頭を抱える場面があった。

頭を抱える日々

— Days spent in constant worry or trouble.

借金で頭を抱える日々が続く。

頭を抱えるような

— Something that makes you want to hold your head.

頭を抱えるようなニュースが届いた。

頭を抱えつつ

— While being troubled (doing something else despite the worry).

頭を抱えつつも、解決策を探す。

자주 혼동되는 단어

頭を抱える vs 頭が痛い

Means a physical headache or a metaphorical 'headache' problem. 'Atama o kakaeru' is more about the struggle/paralysis.

頭を抱える vs 頭を打つ

Literally hitting your head or reaching a limit/plateau.

頭を抱える vs 頭を下げる

To bow or apologize.

관용어 및 표현

"頭が痛い"

— A similar idiom meaning a problem is a 'headache'.

出費が多くて頭が痛い。

Common

"頭を絞る"

— To rack one's brains to find an answer.

知恵を絞って考える。

Common

"匙を投げる"

— To give up on a problem (throw the spoon).

医者も匙を投げるほどの重病。

Common

"五里霧中"

— To be totally in the dark/lost in a fog.

解決策が見えず、五里霧中だ。

Formal

"暗雲が垂れ込める"

— Dark clouds hanging over (a bad situation).

将来に暗雲が垂れ込める。

Literary

"万事休す"

— All is lost; it's the end.

万事休す、もう逃げ場はない。

Common

"途方に暮れる"

— To be at a loss.

見知らぬ土地で途方に暮れる。

Common

"八方塞がり"

— Blocked in all eight directions; no way out.

借金で八方塞がりだ。

Common

"身動きが取れない"

— Unable to move/act due to a situation.

板挟みで身動きが取れない。

Common

"暗礁に乗り上げる"

— To hit a snag (run aground on a reef).

交渉が暗礁に乗り上げた。

Formal

혼동하기 쉬운

頭を抱える vs 抱く (idaku)

Both mean 'to hold'.

'Kakaeru' is for heavy objects/burdens in front. 'Idaku' is for emotions or embracing someone.

夢を抱く (Have a dream) vs. 荷物を抱える (Carry luggage).

頭を抱える vs 持つ (motsu)

General word for 'to hold'.

'Motsu' is simple holding. 'Kakaeru' implies weight or wrapping arms around.

ペンを持つ vs. 頭を抱える.

頭を抱える vs 悩む (nayamu)

Both mean to worry.

'Nayamu' is the internal feeling. 'Atama o kakaeru' is the visible/metaphorical manifestation of that feeling.

進路に悩む.

頭を抱える vs 困る (komaru)

Both mean to be in trouble.

'Komaru' is broad. 'Atama o kakaeru' is specifically for complex, difficult-to-solve problems.

忘れ物をして困る.

頭を抱える vs 考える (kangaeru)

Both involve the head.

'Kangaeru' is neutral thinking. 'Atama o kakaeru' is pained, difficult thinking.

答えを考える.

문장 패턴

[Reason] で、頭を抱えました。

お金がなくて、頭を抱えました。

[Problem] に、[Subject] は頭を抱えている。

難問に、学生は頭を抱えている。

頭を抱えるほど [Adjective] です。

頭を抱えるほど大変です。

[Situation] をめぐって、頭を抱える事態になった。

不祥事をめぐって、頭を抱える事態になった。

思わず頭を抱えてしまうような [Noun]。

思わず頭を抱えてしまうような失敗。

[Subject] も頭を抱えるほどの難題だ。

専門家も頭を抱えるほどの難題だ。

頭を抱えつつも、[Action]。

頭を抱えつつも、前進し続ける。

ただ頭を抱えるのみであった。

彼はただ頭を抱えるのみであった。

어휘 가족

명사

頭 (Head)

抱擁 (Embrace - different kanji usage but related root)

동사

抱える (To hold/carry)

抱く (To hug/hold)

抱きしめる (To hug tightly)

형용사

頭でっかち (Top-heavy/all talk)

사용법

frequency

Very common in both written and spoken Japanese.

자주 하는 실수

頭を抱える (for physical pain) → 頭が痛い
Atama o kakaeru is for mental worry; atama ga itai is for physical pain.
頭が抱える → 頭を抱える
The head is the object being held, so you must use the 'o' particle.
頭を抱く → 頭を抱える
Idaku is for hugging or holding emotions; the idiom specifically uses kakaeru.
Using it for trivial things (e.g., choosing a soda). → 迷う / 困る
Atama o kakaeru is too heavy for minor choices; it sounds sarcastic.
Confusing it with 'atama o hineru' (to twist one's head). → 頭を捻る (to rack one's brains)
Atama o hineru is about trying to think of a creative idea; kakaeru is about distress.

팁

Context Matters

Save this phrase for problems that are actually 'heavy'. Using it for small things can sound overly dramatic.

Particle Choice

Always use 'o' (を) between 'atama' and 'kakaeru'. The person is the subject doing the action.

Picture the Pose

If you can imagine a person physically putting their hands on their head, the phrase is likely appropriate.

Formal Alternative

In a formal report, try '苦慮する' (kuryo suru) for a similar but more academic meaning.

Sincerity

Using this phrase can show that you are taking a problem seriously, which is valued in Japanese culture.

No Pain

Never use this for a medical headache. It's only for mental 'headaches'.

Intensify It

Use 'kakaekomu' (抱え込む) to show a deeper, more internal struggle.

Listen for 'Ni'

The word right before 'ni' is almost always the thing causing the trouble.

Show Empathy

Use it to describe someone else's situation to show you understand how hard they are working/struggling.

Novelistic Flair

It's a great way to describe a character's internal state without using boring adjectives like 'kanashii' (sad).

암기하기

기억법

Imagine your problems are so 'heavy' that your neck can't hold your head up anymore. You have to 'kakaeru' (carry/hold) your head with your arms.

시각적 연상

A businessman sitting at a desk with his head in his hands, surrounded by piles of unpaid bills.

Word Web

Head Arms Heavy Problem Worry Stuck Paralysis Thinking

챌린지

Try to find three news headlines today that use '頭を抱える' and see what kind of problems they are talking about.

어원

The phrase combines 'Atama' (head) with 'Kakaeru' (to hold/carry). Historically, physical gestures were the primary way to express internal states in Japanese literature.

원래 의미: To physically hold one's head due to the weight of thoughts or grief.

Japanese Idiomatic Expression (Kanyu-ku).

문화적 맥락

It is a safe, non-offensive phrase, but using it for someone else's serious tragedy might sound a bit too descriptive/detached. Use with empathy.

Equivalent to 'tearing one's hair out' or 'clutching one's head in despair'.

Commonly seen in 'Salaryman' manga like 'Kacho Kosaku Shima'. Frequently used in news coverage of the 'Lost Decades' in Japan. A standard pose in 'The Thinker' (Rodin) is sometimes jokingly referred to with this phrase.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Workplace

予算不足
納期遅れ
仕様変更
人手不足

School/Study

難問
試験勉強
進路相談
成績不振

Personal Finance

借金
赤字
出費
節約

Family/Relationships

反抗期
夫婦喧嘩
介護問題
近所付き合い

News/Politics

不祥事
支持率低下
外交問題
法案修正

대화 시작하기

"最近、何か頭を抱えるような悩みはありますか？"

"仕事で頭を抱えたとき、どうやって解決しますか？"

"あのプロジェクト、みんな頭を抱えているみたいだね。"

"数学のテスト、難しすぎて頭を抱えちゃったよ。"

"日本の少子化問題に、政府も頭を抱えているようです。"

일기 주제

最近、自分が頭を抱えた出来事について詳しく書いてください。

もし友達が頭を抱えていたら、あなたはどう声をかけますか？

仕事や勉強で頭を抱えないために、どのような工夫をしていますか？

「頭を抱える」という表現は、あなたの母国語では何と言いますか？

ニュースを見て、誰かが頭を抱えている場面を説明してください。

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No. For physical pain, use '頭が痛い' (atama ga itai). '頭を抱える' is strictly for mental distress or being at a loss.

Yes, it is very common in business to describe difficult projects or financial issues. It sounds professional yet expressive.

'Ni' usually points to the target/source of the worry (e.g., this problem), while 'de' often points to the cause/reason (e.g., because of the recession).

Almost never. It implies struggle and distress. However, it can be used for 'happy problems' like having too many job offers, but it's still describing the stress of the choice.

Grammatically yes, but it sounds like you are ordering someone to be troubled, which makes no sense unless you are a director giving acting instructions.

Not exactly. 'Daku' is more for hugging. 'Kakaeru' is more like 'cradling' or 'carrying' something that requires both arms to support.

Yes, very frequently. It's a short, punchy way to say 'The government/company is struggling with X'.

No, that would mean you are literally possessing a head in your hand (like a horror movie). The idiom is fixed as 'atama o kakaeru'.

It is typically introduced at the B1 level as students start learning more nuanced idiomatic expressions.

Change 'kakaeru' to 'kakaeta' (informal) or 'kakaemashita' (formal).

무료 가입하고 팁과 노트 보기