Translation guide
A person or entity that provides money to support someone or something. In Japanese, the natural expression depends on the relationship and context: family support, patronage of the arts, backing a project, or institutional funding.
To refer to the breadwinner or the person who provides for a household.
A formal term for a person who supports dependents financially, often used in legal or tax contexts.
彼は家族の扶養者です。
He is the financial supporter of his family.
Literally 'the person who supports the household finances', a natural way to describe the main earner in a family.
彼女が家計を支える人です。
She is the one who supports the household financially.
Literally 'central pillar', a traditional metaphor for the main breadwinner of a family. Somewhat old-fashioned and gendered.
父は家族の大黒柱だった。
My father was the breadwinner of the family.
To describe someone who financially supports artists, scholars, or specific people out of generosity or interest.
Loanword from English, widely understood as a patron of the arts or a wealthy supporter.
彼は若い画家のパトロンです。
He is a patron of young painters.
A supporter or backer, often used for financial or organizational support. Slightly formal.
Loanword for sponsor, commonly used in contexts like events, sports, or media.
To refer to an investor, donor, or entity providing funds for a venture.
An investor or person who provides capital. Common in business contexts.
彼はそのスタートアップの出資者だ。
He is a financial backer of the startup.
Literally 'fund provider', a straightforward term for anyone who supplies money.
その慈善団体は匿名の資金提供者に支えられている。
The charity is supported by anonymous financial supporters.
A general term for supporter, which often implies financial support in context.
To describe a company, foundation, or government body that provides financial support.
A grant-making organization or funding body. Common in nonprofit and research contexts.
この研究は複数の助成団体から支援を受けている。
This research is supported by several financial supporters.
A source of funds, often used for organizations or projects.
そのNGOの主な資金源は海外の寄付です。
The NGO's main financial supporter is overseas donations.
扶養者 is a neutral, legal term for a financial supporter of dependents. 大黒柱 is a traditional metaphor for the main breadwinner, often implying the father, and can sound old-fashioned or gendered.
The direct translation '財政的支持者' (ざいせいてきしじしゃ) is not natural Japanese. Use context-appropriate terms like パトロン, 出資者, or 扶養者 instead.
このプロジェクトには多くの後援者がいる。
This project has many financial supporters.
彼はその展覧会のスポンサーを探している。
He is looking for a financial supporter for the exhibition.
His campaign has many financial supporters.