Translation guide
The practice of giving money, food, or other help to the poor, often as a religious duty. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific Buddhist terms, general charitable giving, or descriptive phrases.
To refer to the traditional practice of giving alms, especially in a Buddhist setting such as monks receiving offerings.
A Buddhist term for almsgiving or charitable donation, often with a sense of joyful giving.
I give alms at the temple.
Specifically refers to offerings given to Buddhist monks or temples; a core concept in Buddhism.
僧侶に布施を渡す。
I hand an offering to the monk.
Can mean alms or charity, but often has a nuance of giving to the needy in a general sense; may sound slightly old-fashioned or religious.
施しを受ける。
I receive alms.
To talk about giving money or goods to the poor as an act of charity, not necessarily in a religious context.
Refers to charitable activities or philanthropy; a common way to express the concept of almsgiving in modern Japanese.
彼は慈善活動に熱心だ。
He is devoted to charitable work.
Means donation or contribution; can be used for almsgiving when referring to the act of giving money or goods.
貧しい人々に寄付をする。
I make donations to the poor.
Literally 'alms-goods'; a more concrete term for items given as charity, but less common in everyday speech.
To describe the action of giving alms using a verb phrase.
A straightforward way to say 'to give alms' or 'to do charity', though it can sound a bit formal or old-fashioned.
彼は毎日、貧しい人に施しをしている。
He gives alms to the poor every day.
The verb form of 喜捨, used in Buddhist contexts for giving alms joyfully.
信者たちは喜捨した。
The believers gave alms.
喜捨 (kisha) emphasizes joyful giving in a Buddhist context. 布施 (fuse) specifically refers to offerings to monks or temples. 施し (hodokoshi) is a broader term for alms or charity, but can carry a nuance of condescension if used in modern non-religious contexts.
喜捨は仏教の大切な行いです。
Almsgiving is an important practice in Buddhism.
布施は僧侶へのお供えです。
Fuse is an offering to monks.
The English word 'almsgiving' is strongly tied to religious contexts. In Japanese, simply translating it as 施し may sound archaic or condescending. Use 慈善活動 or 寄付 for general charity, and reserve 喜捨/布施 for Buddhist settings.
I distribute alms.