預かります（あずかります、azukarimasu）
- to receive

The Japanese verb 預かります (あずかります) generally means "to keep," "to look after," "to take care of," "to hold," or "to accept (something for safekeeping)." It implies a temporary responsibility or custody over an item, person, or task. It suggests that you are receiving something from someone with the understanding that you will return it later, or that you are responsible for its care. The key idea is a temporary and often trust-based obligation.

⚫︎お荷物を預かります。 Translation: I will keep your luggage. ⚫︎子供を預かってもらえますか？ Translation: Could you look after my child? ⚫︎書類を預かりました。 Translation: I received the documents. / I took care of the documents.

⚫︎預かります is used when you are accepting a temporary responsibility for something. ⚫︎It's common to use 預かります in situations where you are: •Keeping someone's belongings (e.g., at a cloakroom, front desk, or shop). •Looking after a child or pet. •Taking charge of a task or assignment. •Accepting documents or information for review. ⚫︎The context is crucial, as 預かります implies a temporary and often service-oriented obligation. ⚫︎The subject is often implied in sentences using this word.

⚫︎The standard writing is 預かります. ⚫︎The verb is written using the kanji 預 (あず) combined with the hiragana かります. ⚫︎The 預 itself has various meanings related to entrusting, entrusting to someone's care, saving, or depositing. ⚫︎The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is かります. There are no significant variations in the okurigana. ⚫︎The base form is 預かる (あずかる).

⚫︎預ける (あずける): To leave something with someone; to entrust. It is often the action performed *before* someone 預かります. ⚫︎引き受ける (ひきうける): To accept (a responsibility, request, etc.). Often used for larger commitments than 預かります. ⚫︎保管する (ほかんする): To store; to keep (items, documents, etc.) safe. It implies a more permanent, long-term storage than 預かります. ⚫︎世話をする (せわをする): To take care of; to look after. Used when referring to caring for living things or people.

⚫︎渡す (わたす): To hand over; to give. (opposite of receiving.) ⚫︎返す (かえす): To return (something). This is the action performed *after* something is 預かります. ⚫︎放棄する (ほうきする): To abandon; to relinquish. (opposite of taking care of.)

お客様の荷物は、フロントでお預かりします。 ・Translation: We will keep the customers' luggage at the front desk. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 預かります is used in a service context, at a hotel or similar facility. It indicates that the hotel will temporarily keep the luggage for the customer.

明日、田中さんの犬を預かりますことになりました。 ・Translation: I will be looking after Mr. Tanaka's dog tomorrow. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the use of 預かります when referring to looking after a pet. It implies temporary care.

The kanji 預(あず) contains components meaning "to give" and "to look after." The verb 預かる (あずかる) evolved to describe the act of taking something into one's care or keeping something safe for a period of time. The act of 預かる relies on trust and often implies a reciprocal understanding of returning it or completing the agreed-upon task.