Translation guide
The English verb "invest" covers financial investment, devoting time/effort, and endowing with authority. Japanese uses different verbs for each core meaning, and the financial sense has distinct terms for long-term vs. speculative investing.
Putting money into something with the expectation of profit or income.
The standard term for financial investment, covering stocks, real estate, business ventures, etc. Often used with the particle に to indicate the target.
彼は株式に投資している。
He invests in stocks.
Investing in real estate is risky.
Specifically refers to investing capital in a business or project, often as a shareholder or partner. More formal and business-oriented than 投資する.
彼はそのスタートアップに出資した。
He invested in the startup.
Speculative investment, often short-term and high-risk, like day trading or currency speculation. Carries a nuance of gambling.
彼はFXで投機している。
He speculates in forex trading.
Spending time, energy, or money on something to make it successful or to get a benefit.
To spend or expend time, money, or effort on something. Often used with 時間, 労力, 金. Implies a significant amount.
彼は研究に多くの時間を費やした。
He invested a lot of time in research.
そのプロジェクトに全財産を費やした。
He invested his entire fortune in the project.
Literally 'pour', used metaphorically for pouring energy, passion, or resources into something. Strong emotional connotation.
A versatile verb meaning to spend, risk, or apply. Commonly used with 時間, お金, 手間. More casual than 費やす.
Formally giving someone power, authority, or a right.
To confer or grant something like authority, rights, or an honor. Formal and often used in official contexts.
大統領は彼に権限を授与した。
The president invested him with authority.
To grant or bestow rights, privileges, or status. Common in legal and business contexts.
憲法は国民に基本的人権を付与している。
The constitution invests citizens with fundamental human rights.
While 投資する is the direct translation for financial investment, using it for 'investing time' or 'investing effort' sounds unnatural. Use 費やす or かける instead.
投資する is a broad term for any financial investment. 出資する specifically means providing capital to a business, often implying ownership or partnership. Use 出資する when you become a shareholder or fund a venture directly.
自分の教育に投資したい。
I want to invest in my education.
Here 投資する is acceptable because education is seen as an asset that yields returns, but お金をかける is more natural in casual speech.
彼は貯金をすべて株式市場に投資した。
He invested all his savings in the stock market.
彼女は日本語の勉強に多くの労力を費やした。
She invested a lot of effort into learning Japanese.
彼女は教育に情熱を注いでいる。
She invests her passion in education.
この仕事に時間をかける価値はある。
It's worth investing time in this work.