Translation guide
The English word 'aid' can refer to help, assistance, or support in various contexts. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese, from everyday offers of help to formal contexts like international aid.
Expressing the concept of giving or receiving help in everyday situations.
Common word for help or assistance, often used for physical tasks or chores. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to help'.
I asked for help with moving.
A general word for help, rescue, or aid. Slightly more serious than 手伝い, often used for saving someone or providing relief.
Formal term for aid, support, or assistance, often used in official or organizational contexts (e.g., financial aid, international aid).
Support or backing, often used for moral, financial, or logistical support. Common in news and business contexts.
Expressing the action of helping someone with a task or problem.
Referring to aid provided by governments or organizations, such as disaster relief or development assistance.
Standard term for official aid, including financial, technical, or material assistance.
Referring to emergency medical treatment given before professional help arrives.
Referring to something that assists in performing a task, like a hearing aid or visual aid.
She came to my aid.
Do you need help?
助けを呼んでください。
Please call for help.
He gave aid to people in trouble.
The government sent aid to the disaster area.
Many countries are providing aid to refugees.
The most common verb for helping with a task. Transitive verb; the person you help is marked with を.
I helped my mother with cooking.
Could you help me?
To help, save, or rescue. Used for helping someone out of a difficult situation. Transitive verb.
He saved the drowning child.
I helped my friend solve the problem.
Literally 'to become strength', meaning to be of help or support. Often used in offers of help.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Japan provides economic aid to developing countries.
Often used interchangeably with 援助, but can imply broader support including personnel or logistics.
The international community launched reconstruction aid.
Specifically relief aid, often for emergencies or disasters.
Relief supplies were delivered to the disaster area.
Standard term for first aid. Often used in the phrase 応急手当をする (to give first aid).
He administered first aid to the injured person.
Refers to emergency medical services. 救急箱 is a first-aid kit.
Please bring the first-aid kit.
Use a visual aid.
The specific word for hearing aid.
My grandfather uses a hearing aid.
Save a life.
援助 is a formal word. In everyday conversation, use 手伝い or 助け instead. Using 援助 for small favors sounds unnatural.
The organization provides aid to the poor.