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.
care worker (general term)
Most common general term for a professional care worker, especially in nursing homes or home-visit care.
caregiver (family member)
Can refer to a family caregiver or a professional, but often used for family.
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.
She works as a care worker.
A slightly more formal term often used in official contexts or facility names. Emphasizes the role as a staff member.
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.
A general term for a caregiver. Can be a family member or a professional, but often implies family caregiving in context.
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.
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.
The work of a care worker is tough, but rewarding.
Our facility is hiring care workers.
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.
I obtained a certified care worker qualification.
Certified care workers have specialized knowledge and skills.
There is a support group for family caregivers.
Literally 'family member who is providing care'. A clear way to specify a family caregiver.
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.
As a home-visit care worker, I support elderly people living alone.
Common casual term for a home-visit care worker. Widely understood.
My mother works as a home helper.
Care workers at facilities also have night shifts.
Short for 特別養護老人ホーム (special nursing home). Used in industry contexts.
Care workers at special nursing homes care for severely dependent elderly.