Translation guide
The act of giving something to someone temporarily, with the expectation of return. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the verb 貸す (kasu). However, the appropriate expression depends on what is being lent (money, objects, assistance) and the social context.
To express the basic action of lending a physical item or money to someone.
The most common and versatile verb for lending. Can be used for objects, money, and even abstract things like help or an ear.
友達にお金を貸した。
I lent money to a friend.
ペンを貸してくれませんか。
Could you lend me a pen?
Refers to the act of lending out, often used in institutional contexts like libraries or rental shops.
図書館の本の貸し出しは二週間です。
The lending period for library books is two weeks.
Formal term for lending, often used in legal or official contexts.
会社が社員にパソコンを貸与する。
The company lends computers to employees.
To express offering help or assistance, often metaphorically as 'lending a hand'.
Literally 'lend a hand', meaning to help someone with a task.
ちょっと手を貸してくれない？
Can you lend me a hand?
Literally 'lend strength', meaning to provide support or assistance, often in a more committed or effortful way.
To express listening to someone's problems or stories.
Literally 'lend an ear', meaning to listen to someone, often used when someone needs to talk about their troubles.
悩みがあるなら耳を貸すよ。
If you have worries, I'll lend an ear.
To specifically refer to lending money, especially in a financial or banking context.
Refers to financing or providing a loan, typically from a bank or financial institution.
銀行が中小企業に融資を行った。
The bank provided lending to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Loan, lending; often used in banking or accounting contexts.
貸す means 'to lend' (giving out), while 借りる means 'to borrow' (taking in). Mixing them up is a common mistake.
私は彼にお金を貸した。
I lent him money.
私は彼からお金を借りた。
I borrowed money from him.
When lending to a person, use the particle に to mark the recipient. When lending from a person (i.e., borrowing), use から or に with 借りる.
友達に本を貸す。
Lend a book to a friend.
傘を貸してくれてありがとう。
Thank you for lending me your umbrella.
銀行は融資に慎重だ。
The bank is cautious about lending.
Please lend your support to this project.
貸付金の返済が遅れている。
The repayment of the loan is delayed.