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    ゲンを担ぐ (gen o katsugu - to be superstitious, to observe a lucky custom - more casual)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    casual

    How it works

    This is a transitive verb phrase. ゲン (gen) refers to a 'lucky omen' or 'superstition,' and を (o) is the direct object particle. 担ぐ (katsugu) literally means 'to carry on one's shoulder' or 'to take seriously,' and in this context, it means 'to observe' or 'to believe in' a superstition.

    Sample sentences

    彼は試験の前には必ずゲンを担いで、カツ丼を食べる。

    Before an exam, he always observes a lucky custom and eats katsudon.

    そんな小さなことでゲンを担ぐなんて、面白いね。

    It's interesting that you'd be superstitious about such a small thing.

    スポーツ選手はゲンを担ぐ人が多い。

    Many athletes are superstitious.

    Quick facts

    nuance:The term ゲン (gen) is a colloquial shortening of 縁起 (engi - omen, superstition). While 縁起を担ぐ is more formal, ゲンを担ぐ is a common, slightly more casual way to express believing in or observing superstitions. It often implies a conscious effort to do something believed to bring good luck, rather than just passively believing.
    verb_conjugation:担ぐ (katsugu) is a regular Godan verb, so it conjugates like other -gu verbs (e.g., 担ぎます, 担がない, 担いだ).

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    彼は試験の前には必ずゲンを担いで、カツ丼を食べる。

    Before an exam, he always observes a lucky custom and eats katsudon.

    そんな小さなことでゲンを担ぐなんて、面白いね。

    It's interesting that you'd be superstitious about such a small thing.

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