Translation guide
A person employed to provide care and support to people who are elderly, disabled, or otherwise in need of assistance. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese, depending on the context and setting.
Referring to someone who works professionally in elderly care, disability support, or nursing care facilities.
The most common and neutral term for a professional care worker. Used in job titles and everyday conversation.
彼女は介護士として働いています。
She works as a care worker.
介護士の仕事は大変ですが、やりがいがあります。
The work of a care worker is tough, but rewarding.
A slightly more formal term often used in official contexts or facility names. Emphasizes the role as a staff member.
当施設では介護職員を募集しています。
Our facility is hiring care workers.
Loanword from English. Used in some contexts, but less common than 介護士. May sound slightly more modern or casual.
Specifically referring to someone who holds the national certification for care work in Japan.
Referring to a person who provides care for a family member, often unpaid, or in a non-professional capacity.
Specifically a care worker who visits clients' homes to provide assistance.
Emphasizing the workplace setting, such as a special nursing home or day service center.
A straightforward way to say 'care worker at a facility'. Can be used generally.
施設の介護職員は夜勤もあります。
Care workers at facilities also have night shifts.
介護士 is a general term for anyone working in care, while 介護福祉士 is a specific national qualification. You can be a 介護士 without being a 介護福祉士, but having the certification often leads to better pay and responsibilities.
While ケアワーカー is understood, it is not the most natural term in most contexts. Using 介護士 or a more specific term is usually better.
ケアワーカーとしての経験を活かしたいです。
I want to make use of my experience as a care worker.
The official title for a nationally certified care worker. Requires passing a state exam. Highly respected.
介護福祉士の資格を取得しました。
I obtained a certified care worker qualification.
介護福祉士は専門的な知識と技術を持っています。
Certified care workers have specialized knowledge and skills.
A general term for a caregiver. Can be a family member or a professional, but often implies family caregiving in context.
家族の介護者が集まる支援グループがあります。
There is a support group for family caregivers.
Literally 'family member who is providing care'. A clear way to specify a family caregiver.
介護をしている家族の負担を減らす必要があります。
We need to reduce the burden on family members providing care.
The official term for a home-visit care worker. Often called ホームヘルパー in casual speech.
訪問介護員として、一人暮らしの高齢者を支援しています。
As a home-visit care worker, I support elderly people living alone.
Common casual term for a home-visit care worker. Widely understood.
母はホームヘルパーの仕事をしています。
My mother works as a home helper.
Short for 特別養護老人ホーム (special nursing home). Used in industry contexts.
特養の介護士は重度の要介護者をケアします。
Care workers at special nursing homes care for severely dependent elderly.