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かぶります

A2 verb #4,000 most common 9 min read

かぶります

kaburimasu Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips かぶります in 30 Seconds

Explanation かぶります in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that かぶります (kaburimasu) means 'to wear a hat.' You should learn it as part of a set: boushi o kaburimasu. Focus on the physical action of putting a hat on your head. Don't worry about the metaphorical meanings yet. Just remember that if it goes on your head, this is the word to use. Practice saying 'I am wearing a hat' using the form kabutte imasu. This is one of the first 'wear' verbs you will learn along with kimasu (for shirts) and hakimasu (for pants). Keep it simple and focus on daily routines, like getting ready to go outside on a sunny day.

At the A2 level, you should expand your vocabulary beyond just 'hats.' Start using かぶります for helmets (herumetto), caps (kyappu), and hoods (fuudo). You should also learn the 'te-form' (kabutte) to give and receive instructions. For example, 'Please wear a helmet' (herumetto o kabutte kudasai). You might also start to notice the word used when someone is splashed with water (mizu o kaburu). Understand the difference between the action (kaburimasu) and the state (kabutte imasu). This is the level where you distinguish clearly between the different 'wear' verbs to avoid the common mistake of using kimasu for everything.

At the B1 level, you can start using the metaphorical and idiomatic meanings of かぶる (kaburu). You will hear people say yotei ga kaburu (schedules overlap) or neta ga kaburu (the jokes/material are the same). This is very common in casual conversation. You should also be comfortable with the potential form kabureru (can wear) and the causative form kaburaseru (to make someone wear/cover). You might also encounter it in the context of 'taking the blame' (tsumi o kaburu). Your understanding should shift from a simple clothing verb to a versatile word that describes the concept of 'covering' or 'overlapping' in various contexts.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance of かぶる in more complex social and literary contexts. This includes the passive form kaburareru, often used to express that someone was 'covered' by something undesirable (like being splashed by a car driving through a puddle). You should also understand its use in traditional Japanese arts, such as the ritual of putting on a Noh mask. You will be able to distinguish between kaburu and more formal synonyms like juufuku suru (to duplicate/overlap) or ou (to cover). Your usage should be natural, including the ability to use the word in business settings to describe overlapping responsibilities or project phases.

At the C1 level, you are expected to have a deep grasp of the idiomatic and historical nuances of 被る (kaburu). You can use it to describe abstract concepts, such as a person 'wearing a mask' of friendliness (metaphorically). You should be aware of its usage in classical literature or news reporting, where it might describe a ship 'taking on waves' in a storm. You will understand the subtle difference in kanji usage (被る vs 冠る) and when each might be appropriate, though the former is standard. Your ability to use kaburu should extend to complex social situations, such as politely pointing out that someone's proposal overlaps too much with an existing one without being blunt.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 被る (kaburu) is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You understand the most obscure uses, such as its application in specific trades or historical contexts (e.g., how the word evolved from ancient headgear rituals). You can use it with perfect precision in high-level debates, literature, and professional negotiations. You recognize the word's presence in proverbs and can use it to create sophisticated puns or wordplay. At this level, you don't just know the word; you feel the spatial and social weight it carries in Japanese culture, from the humility of 'covering oneself' to the assertive 'taking on' of a challenge or wave.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

かぶります in 30 Seconds

Used for headwear like hats and helmets. It implies a 'top-down' covering motion on the head.
Used when being covered or splashed by substances like water, dust, or snow from above.
Colloquially used when schedules, ideas, or clothing choices overlap or are identical between people.
Idiomatically used for taking the blame or responsibility for a mistake or debt.

The Japanese verb かぶります (kaburimasu) is a fundamental action verb primarily used to describe the act of putting something on one's head or covering the head. Unlike English, which uses the generic verb 'to wear' for almost all clothing items, Japanese is highly specific about the body part being covered. Kaburimasu is reserved for items that are pulled over the head or placed on top of it, such as hats, caps, helmets, and even hoods. Beyond the literal act of dressing, this verb extends into various figurative and situational meanings that are essential for an A2-level learner to grasp as they transition into intermediate Japanese.

Literal Clothing Usage: The most common use is with headwear. Whether you are putting on a sun hat (boushi), a construction helmet (herumetto), or a traditional mask (men), kaburimasu is the correct verb. It implies a downward motion or a covering motion from above.
Environmental Interactions: It is also used when someone or something is covered by a substance, typically from above. For example, if you are splashed with water or covered in dust, you would use kaburimasu. This highlights the 'covering' aspect of the verb.
Metaphorical Overlap: In modern conversational Japanese, especially among younger people, it is frequently used to describe things that 'overlap' or 'clash.' If two people show up to a party wearing the same shirt, or if two events are scheduled at the same time, people say they kabutte iru.

外は暑いので、帽子をかぶります。
(Soto wa atsui node, boushi o kaburimasu.)
Since it is hot outside, I will wear a hat.

Understanding the physical nuance is key. Imagine the motion of pulling a sweater over your head; while you might use kiru for the sweater itself, the moment it covers your head, the action is kaburu. This distinction is vital because using the wrong 'wear' verb is a hallmark of beginner mistakes. Japanese speakers categorize 'wearing' by: the head (kaburu), the upper body (kiru), the lower body (haku), and accessories (tsukeru/hameru).

自転車に乗る時はヘルメットをかぶってください。
(Jitensha ni noru toki wa herumetto o kabutte kudasai.)
Please wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.

Idiomatic Responsibility: One advanced use involves taking the blame. To 'kaburu' someone's debt or mistake means to take that burden upon yourself, much like a heavy cloth being thrown over you.

In summary, kaburimasu is a versatile verb that starts with the head but covers everything from fashion faux pas to social responsibility. By mastering this word, you move beyond basic 'wear' and start understanding the spatial logic of the Japanese language.

Grammatically, かぶります is a Group 1 (U-verb/Godan) verb. Its dictionary form is かぶる (kaburu). The polite form is かぶります (kaburimasu), and the negative form is かぶりません (kaburimasen). Because it is a transitive verb, it almost always takes the direct object particle を (o) to indicate what is being placed on the head.

彼はいつも黒い帽子をかぶっています。
(Kare wa itsumo kuroi boushi o kabutte imasu.)
He is always wearing a black hat.

Notice the use of ~te imasu in the example above. In Japanese, to describe the state of currently wearing something, we use the continuous form. If you say kaburimasu, it usually implies the action of putting it on (future or habitual), whereas kabutte imasu describes the current state of having it on your head.

Common Sentence Structures: [Person] は [Item] をかぶります。
Example: 私はヘルメットをかぶります。 (I wear a helmet.)
Asking Questions: どんな帽子をかぶりますか？ (What kind of hat do you wear?)
Response: 麦わら帽子をかぶります。 (I wear a straw hat.)

When dealing with weather or physical substances, the particle を is still used. If you want to say 'to be covered in water,' the phrasing is mizu o kaburu. This is a very common expression during summer festivals (matsuri) where people are splashed with water for purification or cooling.

波をかぶって、服が濡れました。
(Nami o kabutte, fuku ga nuremashita.)
A wave washed over me, and my clothes got wet.

Finally, let's look at the 'overlap' usage in a sentence. This is very common in casual speech. If you and your friend both suggest going to the same restaurant at the same time, you might say: 'Aa, ikitai mise ga kabutta ne!' (Ah, the restaurants we want to go to overlapped!). This usage doesn't require o, as the subjects themselves are overlapping.

The Passive Form: 被られる (Kaburareru): This is used when someone 'suffers' the action of something being put on them or covering them. It carries a nuance of annoyance or misfortune.

You will encounter かぶります in a wide variety of daily life scenarios in Japan. From safety warnings to fashion advice, the word is ubiquitous. One of the most common places is at a construction site or a factory. Safety is paramount in Japanese culture, and signs saying 'Herumetto o kaburou!' (Let's wear helmets!) are everywhere.

安全のために、必ずヘルメットをかぶってください。
(Anzen no tame ni, kanarazu herumetto o kabutte kudasai.)
For safety, please be sure to wear a helmet.

In retail settings, particularly clothing stores that sell accessories, shop assistants will use the polite form when suggesting items. They might say, 'Kono boushi o kabutte mimasen ka?' (Would you like to try wearing this hat?). Here, kabutte miru means 'to try wearing on the head.'

You will also hear it in the context of weather and health. During the humid Japanese summer, news reports and health officials constantly remind the public to 'boushi o kaburu' to prevent heatstroke (netsuchuushou). This is especially common in schools, where teachers tell children to wear their yellow school caps before going outside to play.

子供たちは学校の帽子をかぶって登校します。
(Kodomotachi wa gakkou no boushi o kabutte toukou shimasu.)
Children go to school wearing their school caps.

In Traditional Arts: In Noh or Kabuki theater, actors 'kaburu' masks (men). This is a ritualistic act where the actor is said to take on the spirit of the mask. You might hear this in documentaries or cultural tours.
In Sports: Baseball is huge in Japan. Coaches frequently tell players to 'boushi o chanto kabure' (wear your cap properly). Catchers and batters also 'kaburu' their respective helmets.

Finally, in offices, you might hear the metaphorical 'kaburu.' If two people are assigned the same task by mistake, a manager might say, 'Shigoto ga kabutte shimatta' (The work has overlapped). This implies inefficiency and is a common phrase in corporate project management discussions.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is using かぶります for clothing items that do not go on the head. In English, 'wear' is a one-size-fits-all word, but in Japanese, using kaburimasu for a shirt or shoes sounds very strange and confusing to a native speaker.

Mistake: Using it for Shirts: Incorrect: シャツをかぶります (Shatsu o kaburimasu).
Correct: シャツを着ます (kimasu).
Explanation: Even though you pull a T-shirt over your head, the final state is on your torso, so you must use kiru.
Mistake: Using it for Glasses: Incorrect: 眼鏡をかぶります (Megane o kaburimasu).
Correct: 眼鏡をかけます (kakemasu).
Explanation: Glasses are 'hung' on the ears/nose, not 'covered' over the head.

✕ 靴をかぶります。
○ 靴を履きます。
(Shoes go on the feet, so use 'hakimasu'.)

Another common error is confusing the 'state' and the 'action.' If you are looking at a photo of someone in a hat and you say 'Boushi o kaburimasu,' you are actually saying 'They are going to put on a hat.' To describe what they are currently doing in the photo, you must use 'kabutte imasu.'

A subtle mistake occurs with the metaphorical 'overlap' usage. Learners often try to use the particle o with kaburu when they mean 'our ideas overlapped.' In this context, kaburu acts like an intransitive verb. You should say 'Aidea ga kaburimashita' (The ideas overlapped), not 'Aidea o kaburimashita' (which would mean you put the idea on your head!).

Mistake: Confusing with 'Kakeru': Hats are kaburu, but scarves are maku (wrap) or kakeru (hang). Don't use kaburu for things that just touch the head/neck area without covering the top.

To truly master かぶります, you must understand its place within the family of Japanese 'wearing' verbs. Japanese categorizes clothing verbs based on the physical action performed and the body part involved. Here is a comparison to help you choose the right word every time.

着る (Kiru) - Upper Body: Used for shirts, sweaters, coats, and kimonos. Basically, anything that covers the torso and shoulders.
Example: コートを着ます (Kooto o kimasu).
履く (Haku) - Lower Body: Used for pants, skirts, socks, and shoes. Anything you step into.
Example: ズボンを履きます (Zubon o hakimasu).
掛ける (Kakeru) - Hanging: Used for glasses. The action is 'hanging' them on your face.
Example: めがねを掛けます (Megane o kakemasu).

被る (Kaburu) vs. 載せる (Noseru)
Kaburu implies wearing or covering, while Noseru simply means to place something on top of something else. If you just balance a book on your head, it's noseru. If you wear a hat, it's kaburu.

In the metaphorical sense of 'overlapping,' a common alternative is 重複する (juufuku suru). However, juufuku suru is much more formal and used in technical or academic contexts. In daily life, kaburu is the go-to word for overlapping schedules or ideas.

Lastly, consider 覆う (ou). This verb means 'to cover' or 'to wrap.' While kaburu is about the act of putting something on, ou is more about the result of being hidden or protected. For example, 'clouds covering the mountain' would use ou, but 'a person putting a blanket over their head' could use kaburu.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 被 consists of the 'clothing' radical on the left and a phonetic component on the right. It literally depicts a skin or leather garment used for covering.

Pronunciation Guide

UK kɑːbuːriːmɑːsuː

US kɑbuːriːmɑsuː

Japanese pitch accent: The pitch drops after 'bu' (ka-BU-ri-ma-su).

Rhymes With

Tabemasu (to eat) Arimasu (to exist) Shirimasu (to know) Hairimasu (to enter) Hashirimasu (to run) Kaerimasu (to return) Kirimasu (to cut) Yarimasu (to do/give)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'r' like an English 'r' with the tongue curled back.
Elongating the 'u' sounds too much.
Stressing the wrong syllable (Japanese is pitch-based, not stress-based).
Confusing 'ka' with 'ga'.
Making the 'm' in 'masu' too heavy.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kana is easy, but the kanji 被 can be confused with others.

Writing 3/5

The kanji 被 has many strokes and a specific radical.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires remembering to use it only for the head.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, usually easy to catch in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

帽子 (Boushi) 水 (Mizu) 着る (Kiru) 履く (Haku) を (Particle)

Learn Next

被せる (Kabuseru) 脱ぐ (Nugu) 重複 (Juufuku) 責任 (Sekinin) 被害 (Higai)

Advanced

冤罪 (Enzai - false accusation) 隠蔽 (Inpei - cover-up) 冠 (Kanmuri - crown)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Particle を

帽子をかぶる。

State vs Action (~te iru)

かぶっている (is wearing).

Causative Form (~saseru)

かぶらせる (make someone wear).

Potential Form (~eru)

かぶれる (can wear).

Linking Actions (~te form)

帽子をかぶって、出かける。

Examples by Level

帽子をかぶります。

I wear a hat.

Simple present/future form.

赤い帽子をかぶっています。

I am wearing a red hat.

Te-iru form for current state.

帽子をかぶりましょう。

Let's wear a hat.

Volitional form -mashou.

父は帽子をかぶりません。

My father doesn't wear hats.

Negative form.

新しい帽子をかぶりました。

I put on a new hat.

Past tense -mashita.

だれが帽子をかぶっていますか？

Who is wearing a hat?

Question with dare.

この帽子をかぶってください。

Please wear this hat.

Request form -te kudasai.

帽子をかぶって、外に行きます。

I wear a hat and go outside.

Te-form used to link actions.

ヘルメットをかぶってください。

Please wear a helmet.

Polite request.

暑いから、帽子をかぶったほうがいいですよ。

It's hot, so you should wear a hat.

Advice using ~hou ga ii.

水泳の時、キャップをかぶりますか？

Do you wear a cap when swimming?

Contextual usage for sports.

雨が降ってきたので、フードをかぶりました。

It started raining, so I put on my hood.

Reasoning with ~node.

子供に帽子をかぶらせます。

I make my child wear a hat.

Causative form.

その帽子、かぶってみてもいいですか？

May I try on that hat?

Asking permission with ~te mo ii.

彼はいつも変な帽子をかぶっていますね。

He is always wearing a strange hat, isn't he?

Sentence ending particle -ne.

帽子をかぶるのを忘れました。

I forgot to wear a hat.

Nominalizing with -no o.

予定が友達とかぶってしまいました。

My plans overlapped with my friend's.

Metaphorical usage for 'overlap'.

バケツの水をかぶって、びしょ濡れになった。

I got doused with a bucket of water and got soaking wet.

Usage for being covered by a substance.

このキャラクターは、他の作品とかぶっている気がする。

I feel like this character overlaps with (is too similar to) one in another work.

Usage for lack of originality/similarity.

彼は部下のミスをかぶって、会社を辞めた。

He took the blame for his subordinate's mistake and quit the company.

Idiomatic usage for taking responsibility.

猫が布団をかぶって寝ています。

The cat is sleeping covered by a futon.

Usage for being covered by an object.

マスクをかぶって正体を隠す。

Wear a mask to hide one's identity.

Usage for full-head coverings.

帽子をかぶらずに外に出ると、日焼けしますよ。

If you go out without wearing a hat, you'll get sunburned.

Negative te-form 'zu ni'.

そんなに深く帽子をかぶらないでください。

Please don't pull your hat down so low.

Negative request.

船が大きな波をかぶって、転覆しそうになった。

The ship took on a large wave and almost capsized.

Usage for natural forces covering something.

彼の意見は私の意見と完全にかぶっている。

His opinion completely overlaps with mine.

Abstract overlap.

泥水をかぶって、お気に入りの服が台無しだ。

I got splashed with muddy water, and my favorite clothes are ruined.

Unintentional covering (often passive nuance).

その俳優は、役作りのために仮面をかぶって生活した。

The actor lived wearing a mask to prepare for the role.

Extended state of wearing.

借金をかぶるなんて、君は人が良すぎるよ。

To take on someone else's debt, you are too kind.

Idiomatic for taking on debt.

火の粉をかぶらないように注意してください。

Please be careful not to be showered with sparks.

Environmental hazard usage.

帽子をかぶり直して、彼は再び歩き出した。

Adjusting his hat, he started walking again.

Compound verb with -naosu (to do again/fix).

あの二人のキャラがかぶっているので、片方を変えましょう。

Since those two characters overlap, let's change one of them.

Common industry slang for 'redundant'.

彼は恩師の不祥事を一身に被って沈黙を守った。

He took the entirety of his mentor's scandal upon himself and remained silent.

Formal/Literary usage of 被る.

山頂は厚い雲を被っており、視界は最悪だった。

The mountain peak was covered in thick clouds, and visibility was terrible.

Personification/Nature usage.

猫を被っている彼女の本当の性格は、誰も知らない。

No one knows the true character of her, who is 'wearing a cat' (pretending to be nice).

Idiom: Neko o kaburu.

激しい風評被害を被り、店は閉店に追い込まれた。

Suffering from severe reputational damage, the shop was forced to close.

Formal usage for suffering damage (higai o kaburu).

伝統芸能の継承者は、面を被る瞬間に自我を捨てると言う。

Successors of traditional arts say they discard their ego the moment they put on the mask.

Cultural context.

不利益を被る可能性がある場合は、事前にお知らせします。

If there is a possibility of suffering a disadvantage, we will inform you in advance.

Business/Legal formal usage.

大波を被った甲板には、魚が数匹打ち上げられていた。

On the deck that had been washed over by a great wave, several fish were washed up.

Descriptive past tense.

彼女はいつも他人の罪を被ってしまう、自己犠牲的な人だ。

She is a self-sacrificing person who always ends up taking the blame for others' sins.

Character description.

その政策は、既存の法律と領域が被っており、調整が必要だ。

The policy's jurisdiction overlaps with existing laws, necessitating adjustment.

Technical/Legal overlap.

彼は世間の荒波を被りながらも、独自の道を切り拓いた。

While being battered by the rough waves of the world, he carved out his own path.

Metaphorical 'rough waves' of life.

被疑者は、共犯者の供述によって全ての罪を被せられた。

The suspect was made to take all the blame due to the accomplice's statement.

Passive/Causative nuance (kabuserareta).

白雪を被った連峰が、朝日に照らされて黄金色に輝いている。

The mountain range covered in white snow is shining golden in the morning sun.

Poetic/Literary description.

他人の不始末を被る筋合いはないと、彼は毅然と言い放った。

He firmly declared that he had no reason to take the blame for someone else's mismanagement.

Strong negation of responsibility.

その演出は、前作のオマージュというよりは、単にネタが被っているだけだ。

That direction isn't so much an homage to the previous work as it is simply a duplication of material.

Critical analysis of overlap.

万一損害を被った場合は、契約に基づき補償を請求できる。

In the unlikely event that damage is sustained, compensation can be claimed based on the contract.

Legal/Contractual usage.

彼は、仮面を被って生きることに疲れ果ててしまったようだ。

It seems he has become completely exhausted from living while wearing a mask (hiding his true self).

Psychological metaphor.

Common Collocations

帽子をかぶる

ヘルメットをかぶる

水をかぶる

罪をかぶる

予定がかぶる

布団をかぶる

マスクをかぶる

波をかぶる

猫をかぶる

恥をかぶる

Common Phrases

被り物 (Kaburimono)

— A general term for headgear or masks used in costumes.

パーティーで被り物をする。

丸被り (Maru-kaburi)

— A complete overlap or duplication of something.

内容が丸被りだ。

被りなし (Kaburi nashi)

— No overlaps or no duplicates (often used in collecting items).

ガチャで被りなしだった。

一肌脱ぐ (Hitohada nugu)

— Actually an antonym phrase meaning to help out, contrasting with 'kaburu' (taking blame).

彼のために一肌脱ぐ。

頭からかぶる

— To pour something over one's head or pull something over completely.

水を頭からかぶる。

深くかぶる

— To pull a hat down low over one's eyes.

帽子を深くかぶって顔を隠す。

浅くかぶる

— To wear a hat loosely or high on the head.

帽子を浅くかぶるのが流行りだ。

被り心地 (Kaburi-gochi)

— The feeling of a hat when worn.

この帽子は被り心地が良い。

お面をかぶる

— To wear a traditional mask.

お祭りでひょっとこの面をかぶる。

泥をかぶる

— To take the blame/stigma for something unpleasant.

組織のために泥をかぶる。

Often Confused With

かぶります vs 着る (Kiru)

Kiru is for the upper body (shirts/coats). Kaburu is only for the head.

かぶります vs 履く (Haku)

Haku is for the lower body (shoes/pants). Kaburu is only for the head.

かぶります vs 掛ける (Kakeru)

Kakeru is for glasses. Kaburu is for things that cover the top of the head.

Idioms & Expressions

"猫をかぶる"

— To feign innocence or friendliness; to hide one's true (often sharper) personality.

彼女は猫をかぶっているが、実は気が強い。

Common/Casual

"罪を被る"

— To take the blame for a crime or mistake committed by someone else.

無実の罪を被る。

Serious

"泥を被る"

— To take on a difficult or unpleasant task/responsibility that others avoid.

リーダーとして泥を被る覚悟がある。

Business/Serious

"一世を風靡する"

— While using a different 'fubi', it shares the 'covering' concept of dominating an era.

その歌は一世を風靡した。

Formal

"火の粉を被る"

— To suffer the side effects or consequences of someone else's trouble.

隣の家の喧嘩の火の粉を被った。

Casual

"埃を被る"

— To be neglected for a long time (literally 'to be covered in dust').

その本は棚で埃を被っている。

Neutral

"恥を被る"

— To be put to shame or to bear a disgrace.

親に恥を被らせるな。

Serious

"水を被る"

— Literally to be doused, but can imply a sudden cooling of enthusiasm.

冷水を被せられたような気分だ。

Idiomatic

"お鉢が回る"

— Not using kaburu, but relates to taking a turn/responsibility that 'comes around'.

ついにお鉢が回ってきた。

Idiomatic

"仮面を被る"

— To hide one's true feelings or identity.

社会人は皆、仮面を被って生きている。

Literary

Easily Confused

かぶります vs 被せる (Kabuseru)

It's the causative version.

Kaburu is 'I wear it'. Kabuseru is 'I put it on someone/something else'.

子供に帽子を被せる。

かぶります vs 浴びる (Abiru)

Both involve water/substances.

Abiru is more like 'showering' or 'bathing' in something. Kaburu implies a 'dousing' or 'covering' from above.

シャワーを浴びる。

かぶります vs 冠る (Kaburu)

Same pronunciation.

冠る is specifically for crowns or formal caps, but 被る is the standard kanji.

王冠を冠る。

かぶります vs 覆う (Ou)

Both mean 'to cover'.

Ou is a general verb for covering/wrapping anything. Kaburu is specifically about the head or receiving a substance.

霧が山を覆う。

かぶります vs 重なる (Kasanaru)

Both mean 'overlap'.

Kasanaru is more physical (piled up). Kaburu is more idiomatic for schedules or identical ideas.

本が重なっている。

Sentence Patterns

[Object] をかぶります。

帽子をかぶります。

[Object] をかぶってください。

ヘルメットをかぶってください。

[Subject] がかぶりました。

予定がかぶりました。

[Object] をかぶっています。

お面をかぶっています。

[Person] は猫をかぶっています。

彼女は猫をかぶっています。

[Damage] を被る。

被害を被る。

[Abstract] を被る。

不利益を被る。

All

[Object] をかぶり直す。

帽子をかぶり直す。

Word Family

Nouns

被り物 (Kaburimono - headgear)

被疑者 (Higisha - suspect/one 'covered' by suspicion)

Verbs

被せる (Kabuseru - to cover something)

被さる (Kabusaru - to get covered)

帽子 (Boushi)

ヘルメット (Herumetto)

お面 (Omen)

責任 (Sekinin)

重複 (Juufuku)

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in daily life, especially in summer or safety contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'kaburimasu' for a sweater. → Kimasu.
Even if it goes over the head, sweaters are for the body.
Using 'kaburimasu' for socks. → Hakimasu.
Socks are for the lower body/feet.
Saying 'boushi o kaburimasu' to mean 'I am wearing a hat' right now. → Boushi o kabutte imasu.
Kaburimasu implies the future or habit.
Using 'kaburimasu' for glasses. → Kakemasu.
Glasses are hung, not pulled over the head.
Using 'o' particle for overlapping schedules. → Yotei 'ga' kaburu.
In the overlap sense, the verb is intransitive.

Tips

Particle Choice

Always use 'o' for things you wear on your head, but use 'ga' when schedules or ideas overlap.

Indoor Manners

Always 'nugu' (take off) what you 'kaburu' (wear on head) when entering a Japanese home.

Safety First

In any industrial area, look for 'herumetto chakuyou' which is the formal version of 'kaburu'.

Fashion Faux Pas

If you and a friend wear the same outfit, say 'A, kabutta!' for a quick laugh.

The K-Rule

K-aburu = K-rown (head). K-iru = K-ore (body/core). K-akemasu = K-ake (hang on ears).

Water Warnings

If someone says 'mizu o kaburu', they are getting wet! Move away if you don't want to join them.

Bowing

It is difficult to bow deeply while 'kabutte iru' a large hat; it's better to remove it first.

State vs Action

Practice 'kabutte iru' more than 'kaburimasu' since we usually describe what people are wearing.

Taking Responsibility

Use 'sekinin o kaburu' cautiously; it's a strong statement of taking the fall.

Downward Motion

Think of 'kaburu' as any motion that comes from above the head downwards.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **CAB** (kab) driver putting on a hat before he starts his **RU**te (ru). Kab-ru!

Visual Association

Visualize a giant hat falling from the sky and covering a person entirely like a lid.

Word Web

Hat Helmet Splash Overlap Blame Cover Mask Hood

Challenge

Try to find 3 things in your room you can 'kaburu' (hat, towel, blanket) and say the word each time.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'kaburu'. It originally meant to put something on the head, possibly related to 'kabe' (wall/layer) or 'kami' (upper/head).

Original meaning: To put on the head; to be covered.

Japonic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'tsumi o kaburu' (taking blame) as it implies a heavy social consequence.

English speakers often use 'wear' for everything. Remember to switch to 'kaburu' specifically for the head.

Shishi-mai (Lion dance) Doraemon's 'Take-copter' (placed on head) Samurai Kabuto (helmets)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Getting ready to go out

帽子をかぶる
日傘をさす
靴を履く
鏡を見る

At a construction site

ヘルメットをかぶる
安全第一
注意する
被り直す

Talking about a movie/story

設定がかぶる
キャラがかぶる
既視感がある
真似する

During a summer festival

水をかぶる
お面をかぶる
浴衣を着る
賑わう

In a corporate meeting

予定がかぶる
責任をかぶる
泥をかぶる
重複を避ける

Conversation Starters

"今日は日差しが強いですね。帽子をかぶりますか？"

"その帽子、とても似合っていますね！どこで買ったんですか？"

"来週の会議、他の予定とかぶっていませんか？"

"子供の頃、学校の帽子をかぶるのが好きでしたか？"

"最近、友達と服がかぶってしまったことはありますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日、帽子をかぶって出かけましたか？どんな帽子でしたか？

仕事や学校で、予定がかぶって困った時のことを書いてください。

『猫をかぶる』という言葉について、どう思いますか？

誰かのミスをかぶった経験はありますか？その時どう感じましたか？

日本の伝統的な『お面』をかぶってみたいですか？理由は？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but only for the action of putting the hood part on your head. For wearing the hoodie as a garment, use 'kimasu'.

'Kaburu' is the action (to put on), while 'kabutte iru' is the state (is wearing/has it on).

Yes, if the mask covers the head or is pulled over, like a full-face mask or a traditional Noh mask.

It's an idiom meaning to act nice/innocent. It literally means 'to wear a cat on one's head'.

No, for an umbrella, you use 'sasu' (to hold/open).

For a scarf, you use 'maku' (to wrap) or 'suru' (to do/wear).

Use 'boushi o nugu' or 'boushi o hazusu'.

No, for sunscreen or cream, you use 'nuru' (to smear/apply).

Yes, it is very common to say 'yotei ga kaburu' when schedules clash.

The most common kanji is 被ります, though it is often written in hiragana for simple headwear.