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'.
引っ越しの手伝いを頼んだ。
I asked for help with moving.
手伝いが必要ですか？
Do you need help?
A general word for help, rescue, or aid. Slightly more serious than 手伝い, often used for saving someone or providing relief.
助けを呼んでください。
Please call for help.
彼は困っている人に助けを与えた。
He gave aid to people in trouble.
Formal term for aid, support, or assistance, often used in official or organizational contexts (e.g., financial aid, international aid).
政府は被災地に援助を送った。
The government sent aid to the disaster area.
Support or backing, often used for moral, financial, or logistical support. Common in news and business contexts.
多くの国が難民支援を行っている。
Many countries are providing aid to refugees.
Expressing the action of helping someone with a task or problem.
The most common verb for helping with a task. Transitive verb; the person you help is marked with を.
母の料理を手伝った。
I helped my mother with cooking.
手伝ってくれませんか？
Could you help me?
To help, save, or rescue. Used for helping someone out of a difficult situation. Transitive verb.
Literally 'to become strength', meaning to be of help or support. Often used in offers of help.
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.
日本は途上国に経済援助を提供している。
Japan provides economic aid to developing countries.
Often used interchangeably with 援助, but can imply broader support including personnel or logistics.
Specifically relief aid, often for emergencies or disasters.
Referring to emergency medical treatment given before professional help arrives.
Standard term for first aid. Often used in the phrase 応急手当をする (to give first aid).
彼はけが人に応急手当を施した。
He administered first aid to the injured person.
Refers to emergency medical services. 救急箱 is a first-aid kit.
Referring to something that assists in performing a task, like a hearing aid or visual aid.
Suffix meaning 'assistive device'. For example, 補聴器 (hearing aid) is more common than 聴覚補助具.
視覚補助具を使う。
Use a visual aid.
The specific word for hearing aid.
祖父は補聴器を使っている。
My grandfather uses a hearing aid.
手伝う is used for helping with tasks or chores, while 助ける implies rescuing or helping someone out of a difficult situation. Use 手伝う when you help someone carry boxes; use 助ける when you save someone from drowning.
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.
彼女が助けに来てくれた。
She came to my aid.
その団体は貧しい人々に援助を提供している。
The organization provides aid to the poor.
彼は溺れている子供を助けた。
He saved the drowning child.
友達が問題を解決するのを助けた。
I helped my friend solve the problem.
Is there anything I can do to help?
The international community launched reconstruction aid.
救援物資が被災地に届けられた。
Relief supplies were delivered to the disaster area.
救急箱を持ってきてください。
Please bring the first-aid kit.