Use 支える for support that keeps a person, object or activity going.

The idea

支える is a transitive ichidan verb: mark what is supported with を. Drop る to form 支えます and 支えて. It can describe holding up a roof or sustaining someone emotionally.

Patterns to compare
Dictionary formPolite non-pastPolite negativePolite pastて form
支える支えます支えません支えました支えて

Examples

  • 柱はしらが屋根やねを支ささえています。The pillar supports the roof.
  • 私わたしは高齢こうれいの方かたの腕うでを支ささえました。I supported the elderly person’s arm.
  • 家族かぞくは大変たいへんな時期じきに私わたしを支ささえてくれました。My family supported me through a difficult time.
  • ボランティアが地域ちいきの暮くらしを支ささえています。Volunteers support life in the local community.
  • この収入しゅうにゅうが彼女かのじょの生活せいかつを支ささえています。This income supports her livelihood.
  • 二人ふたりは互たがいに支ささえ合あっています。The two of them support each other.

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Watch out

Do not confuse 支える with merely holding something in your hand: it stresses keeping something stable or helping it continue. The て form is 支えて, not 支えって.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the polite non-past form: ＿。（支ささえる→ます）

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    支えます

    支えます is the polite non-past; context determines present or future.

  2. Write the て form: ＿。（支ささえる→て）

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    支えて

    支えて is formed by replacing the final る with て.

  3. Choose the object particle: 柱はしらが屋根やね＿支ささえています。（を／に）

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    を

    を marks 屋根 as the object supported by the pillar.

Use it today

Describe someone who supports you, then change your sentence to the polite past.