Translation guide
The English word 'contribution' covers a range of meanings from donating money to playing a part in a group effort. In Japanese, the best translation depends on whether you're talking about financial support, submitting an article, helping a team, or being a factor in a result. This guide breaks down the main uses and gives natural Japanese equivalents.
Giving money, goods, or resources to a cause, organization, or fund.
The most common word for a charitable donation or contribution of money or goods.
彼は毎年、動物保護団体に寄付をしている。
He makes a contribution to an animal protection group every year.
Specifically refers to fundraising or a monetary contribution collected from many people, often for disaster relief or charity.
Slang term for a monetary contribution, often used in casual group collections (e.g., among friends or colleagues). From 'campaign'.
Submitting an article, essay, artwork, or other content to a publication, website, or project.
Helping a team, project, or cause through one's actions, skills, or participation.
Something that helps bring about a result or situation, often used in explanations.
Offering an idea, opinion, or comment in a meeting or conversation.
Literally 'to state an opinion'. The most natural way to express contributing verbally in a formal setting.
貢献 (こうけん) is a broad term for any kind of contribution, especially through effort or work. 寄付 (きふ) is specifically for donating money or goods. Don't use 寄付 when talking about contributing ideas or labor.
ボランティア活動は社会への貢献だ。
Volunteer work is a contribution to society.
みんなの協力でイベントは成功した。
Everyone's contribution made the event a success.
Here 'contribution' is better translated as 協力 (cooperation).
街頭で災害支援の募金を呼びかけた。
They called for contributions for disaster relief on the street.
Let's each contribute 1,000 yen for the farewell party.
Used for submitting a piece of writing, a photo, or a comment to a magazine, website, or social media.
彼女は新聞に記事を投稿した。
She contributed an article to the newspaper.
Formal term for contributing a manuscript or article, typically to a publication. Implies a solicited or professional contribution.
著名な学者が学術誌に寄稿した。
A renowned scholar contributed to the academic journal.
The most general and common word for making a meaningful contribution to something, whether a company, society, or a project.
彼の研究は医学の発展に大きく貢献した。
His research made a significant contribution to the advancement of medicine.
Literally 'to be useful'. A very common, natural way to say someone's actions helped or contributed to a situation.
彼はチームの成功に役立った。
He contributed to the team's success.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to play a part' or 'to lend a hand', often used when someone voluntarily takes on a role.
彼女はイベントの準備に一役買った。
She contributed to the preparations for the event.
A factor or element that contributes to a particular outcome. Often used in analytical or explanatory contexts.
運動不足が肥満の一因となっている。
Lack of exercise is a contributing factor to obesity.
A set phrase meaning 'to be a contributing factor'. More formal than just 要因.
ストレスが病気の一因となることがある。
Stress can be a contributing factor to illness.
He made a constructive contribution at the meeting.
A remark or statement made in a discussion. Can be used as 'make a contribution' in the sense of speaking up.
彼女の発言が議論の方向を変えた。
Her contribution changed the direction of the debate.
We sent a contribution to the disaster area.
The English word 'contribution' is often used in contexts where Japanese would use a more specific verb or phrase. For example, 'He contributed to the project' is not naturally translated as 彼はプロジェクトに貢献した in casual speech; 彼はプロジェクトに役立った or 彼はプロジェクトで一役買った sounds more natural depending on the nuance.