In 15 Seconds
- Means to claim or secure something before it is gone.
- Used for seats, tickets, time, or limited resources.
- Common in busy social settings and professional environments.
Meaning
This phrase means to grab something and make sure it's yours before anyone else takes it. It's like claiming a spot at a busy cafe or snagging the last ticket for a movie.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a busy cafe with a friend
先に席を確保をしましょう。
Let's secure a seat first.
In a business meeting
会議室の確保をしましたか？
Did you secure the meeting room?
Texting a friend about concert tickets
チケット、無事に確保したよ！
I secured the tickets safely!
Cultural Background
It is common to see people leave laptops or wallets to secure a seat. While generally safe, it's better to use a less valuable item like a jacket. Securing 'human resources' ({人材|じんざい}) is a major topic in Japanese news due to the shrinking population. During Hanami, the person who secures the spot is often the hero of the group. In the age of social media, 'securing a handle' is a modern form of {確保|かくほ}.
The 'O' Drop
In casual speech, drop the 'o' particle to sound more natural: '{席|せき}{確保|かくほ}したよ！'
Don't Arrest Your Friends
Be careful using it with people. '{確保|かくほ}した' for a person sounds like you arrested them.
In 15 Seconds
- Means to claim or secure something before it is gone.
- Used for seats, tickets, time, or limited resources.
- Common in busy social settings and professional environments.
What It Means
確保をする is all about making sure you have what you need. Think of it as 'claiming' or 'securing' something. It is not just about having it. It is about the effort to make sure it stays yours. You use it for physical spaces, time, or even resources. It feels a bit more active than just 'having' something. You are taking a step to protect that item or spot.
How To Use It
You usually put a noun before it. For example, seki (seat) or yosan (budget). You can say seki o kakuho suru to mean 'secure a seat.' In daily life, you will often use the polite form kakuho shimasu. If you are talking to friends, kakuho shita (I secured it) works great. It is a very versatile 'do' verb construction. Just remember the o particle connects the object to the action.
When To Use It
Use this when you are in a crowded place. At a food court, you 'secure' a table first. When a big sale is happening, you 'secure' the items in your cart. It is also perfect for work. You might 'secure' a meeting room for a presentation. Use it when there is a risk of losing out. It implies a sense of relief once the task is done.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for people in a romantic way. Saying you 'secured' a girlfriend sounds like a police report. Speaking of police, they use this word for 'arresting' suspects. So, avoid using it for friends unless you are joking. Also, do not use it for things that are infinite. You do not 'secure' air or sunshine. It is only for things that might run out.
Cultural Background
Japan has a huge 'reservation culture.' Think about *Hanami* (cherry blossom viewing). People go to parks at 5 AM to 'secure' a spot with blue tarps. This is the ultimate kakuho moment. It shows respect for the group's space. Being early to secure things is seen as being responsible. It is a way to avoid *meiwaku* (trouble) for others later.
Common Variations
You will often hear kakuho dekinai. This means 'I couldn't secure it,' which is a sad phrase for concert fans. Another one is youshi o kakuho suru, meaning to secure a form or document. In news reports, you might hear shinn-nin o kakuho, meaning a suspect was caught. For your daily life, stick to seats, tickets, and time.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral collocation suitable for most daily and business situations. Be careful not to use it with people unless you are a police officer or joking about 'capturing' a friend.
The 'O' Drop
In casual speech, drop the 'o' particle to sound more natural: '{席|せき}{確保|かくほ}したよ！'
Don't Arrest Your Friends
Be careful using it with people. '{確保|かくほ}した' for a person sounds like you arrested them.
The Blue Tarp
If you see a blue tarp in a park, that spot is already {確保|かくほ}-ed. Don't sit there!
Examples
6先に席を確保をしましょう。
Let's secure a seat first.
A very common phrase before ordering food in Japan.
会議室の確保をしましたか？
Did you secure the meeting room?
Standard professional check to ensure a space is booked.
チケット、無事に確保したよ！
I secured the tickets safely!
The word 'mubiji ni' (safely/successfully) adds a sense of relief.
最後のピザは私が確保をする！
I'm securing the last piece of pizza!
Using a slightly formal word for pizza makes it funny.
勉強の時間を確保をするのは難しいです。
It is difficult to secure time for studying.
Used here for 'carving out' or 'making' time.
ホテルの部屋を確保をしてください。
Please secure a hotel room.
A direct request to make a booking.
Test Yourself
Choose the most natural object for {確保|かくほ}をする.
スターバックスで、まず何を{確保|かくほ}しますか？
In a busy cafe, you secure a seat ({席|せき}) first.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of {確保|かくほ}をする.
昨日、やっとコンサートのチケットを＿＿＿＿。
The sentence starts with 'Yesterday' ({昨日|きのう}), so the past tense is required.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are a manager needing money for a project.
{予算|よさん} means budget, which is a key resource to secure in business.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {会議室|かいぎしつ}、あいてる？ B: うん、もう＿＿＿＿よ。
The speaker is confirming that the room is already secured.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can you {確保|かくほ}?
Daily Life
- • {席|せき} (Seat)
- • {場所|ばしょ} (Place)
- • {駐車場|ちゅうしゃじょう} (Parking)
Business
- • {予算|よさん} (Budget)
- • {人材|じんざい} (Staff)
- • {会議室|かいぎしつ} (Meeting Room)
Special
- • チケット (Tickets)
- • {証拠|しょうこ} (Evidence)
- • {睡眠|すいみん} (Sleep)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesスターバックスで、まず何を{確保|かくほ}しますか？
In a busy cafe, you secure a seat ({席|せき}) first.
昨日、やっとコンサートのチケットを＿＿＿＿。
The sentence starts with 'Yesterday' ({昨日|きのう}), so the past tense is required.
You are a manager needing money for a project.
{予算|よさん} means budget, which is a key resource to secure in business.
A: {会議室|かいぎしつ}、あいてる？ B: うん、もう＿＿＿＿よ。
The speaker is confirming that the room is already secured.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! It's very common to use it when talking about seats in a busy place.
No, for safety, use {安全|あんぜん}を{守|まも}る or {確保|かくほ} the 'safety of the route', but not the person themselves.
{予約|よやく} is a reservation (like a hotel), {確保|かくほ} is the act of getting it (like snagging the last room).
Usually, we use {保存|ほぞん} (save) or {保護|ほご} (protect) for files.
Yes, if you are talking about securing results or resources, it sounds very professional.
Often, yes. It implies that if you didn't act, you might not have gotten the item.
No, always use '{確保|かくほ}をする' or just '{確保|かくほ}する'.
Use the negative potential: '{確保|かくほ}できなかった'.
Yes, for securing a rebound in basketball or securing a lead in a race.
{席|せき} (seat) is by far the most common in daily life.
Related Phrases
{予約|よやく}する
similarTo reserve
{押|お}さえる
similarTo hold/press down
{取|と}る
similarTo take
{維持|いじ}する
contrastTo maintain
{独占|どくせん}する
builds onTo monopolize
