Translation guide
The English word "intervention" covers a wide range of situations where someone steps in to change a course of events. Japanese uses different words depending on whether it's a person mediating a dispute, a government intervening in a market, a medical procedure, or a military action. This guide breaks down the main meanings and gives natural Japanese equivalents.
When a person or third party gets involved to stop a conflict, argument, or fight, or to help resolve a problem between people.
Refers to mediation or arbitration, often in a formal or semi-formal sense. Used when a neutral third party helps settle a dispute.
He intervened in the fight between the two.
Literally "to go between." A natural, everyday way to say you stepped in to mediate or calm a situation.
My friends were fighting, so I intervened.
A more formal word for intervention, often implying an active, sometimes unwelcome, stepping in. Can be used for personal disputes but sounds a bit stiff.
The boss intervened in the argument between subordinates.
When a government, central bank, or organization takes action to influence a situation, especially in economics, policy, or markets.
The standard term for government or institutional intervention, especially in economic contexts like currency markets.
The government intervened in the foreign exchange market.
Often translated as "interference" and can have a negative nuance. Used when an outside entity meddles in affairs, like political intervention.
A medical action taken to treat a condition, such as surgery, therapy, or a specific treatment.
General term for medical treatment. Often used when "intervention" means any therapeutic action.
Early intervention is necessary.
Direct translation of "medical intervention," used in formal or technical contexts.
Emergency medical intervention was performed.
Specifically means surgical operation. Use only when the intervention is a surgery.
When armed forces are deployed to intervene in a conflict or crisis.
An organized attempt to confront someone about a serious personal problem, like addiction, and persuade them to get help.
Borrowed concept; often called an "intervention meeting" in Japanese. Used in addiction contexts.
The family held an intervention for him.
Descriptive phrase meaning "to discuss with a specialist present." Used when the concept of an intervention is not culturally common.
介入 (kainyū) is a neutral or formal term for stepping in, often used for governments or institutions. 干渉 (kanshō) implies meddling or interference, often negative. 仲裁 (chūsai) is specifically mediation between parties in a dispute.
In casual conversation, saying 「介入する」 can sound overly formal or aggressive. Often a simpler phrase like 「間に入る」 or 「助ける」 is more natural.
他国の内政に干渉すべきではない。
We should not intervene in the internal affairs of other countries.
Surgery was chosen as the surgical intervention.
外国の介入が内戦を長引かせた。
Foreign intervention prolonged the civil war.
We discussed the addiction problem with a specialist present, as an intervention.