Translation guide
The feeling of comfort or reassurance when something unpleasant stops or does not happen. Also, financial or material assistance, and the act of replacing someone on duty.
Expressing that you feel reassured or less worried because a difficult situation has ended or been avoided.
The most common word for peace of mind or relief from worry. Often used in the phrase 安心する (to feel relieved).
それを聞いて安心した。
I felt relieved to hear that.
無事で安心しました。
I'm relieved you're safe.
An onomatopoeic phrase meaning to feel a sense of relief, often with a sigh. Very natural in casual conversation.
試験が終わってほっとした。
I felt relieved after the exam was over.
大丈夫だと聞いてほっとしたよ。
I was relieved to hear it's okay.
A more formal or literary term for relief, often used in writing or official contexts.
住民に安堵の表情が見られた。
The residents looked relieved.
Describing the lessening or removal of physical pain, stress, or symptoms.
Refers to alleviation or mitigation of pain, stress, symptoms, etc. Often used in medical or formal contexts.
この薬は痛みを緩和します。
This medicine relieves pain.
ストレス緩和に効果がある。
It is effective for stress relief.
Means reduction or lessening, often used for burdens, pain, or taxes. Slightly more about reduction than complete relief.
A common phrase meaning to become easier or more comfortable, often used for physical relief.
薬を飲んだら少し楽になった。
I felt a bit better after taking the medicine.
Referring to money, food, or other help given to people in need.
Relief in the sense of aid or rescue, especially in disasters. Often used in compounds like 救援物資 (relief supplies).
被災地に救援物資を送る。
Send relief supplies to the disaster area.
Relief or aid, often used for poverty relief, debt relief, or salvation. Can have a slightly formal or institutional nuance.
Support or assistance, broader than emergency relief. Very common in news and official contexts.
The person who takes over a job or shift so someone can rest.
Shift change or substitution. 交代要員 means relief personnel. Used in work or sports contexts.
夜勤の交代は8時です。
The night shift change is at 8 o'clock.
交代要員が来るまで待ってください。
Please wait until the relief staff arrives.
Break or rest. Not exactly 'relief' but used when someone takes a break from duty.
Something funny that provides a break from tension or seriousness.
To ease tension. Often used to describe a joke or light moment that relieves a serious atmosphere.
彼の冗談が緊張を和らげた。
His joke provided comic relief.
A breather or break from something intense. Can be used for a light moment in a serious story.
このシーンはちょっとした息抜きだ。
This scene is a bit of comic relief.
A sculptural technique where figures project from a flat background.
Loanword from English, commonly used in art contexts.
壁に美しいレリーフが飾られている。
A beautiful relief is displayed on the wall.
Traditional Japanese term for relief carving or embossing.
Both mean relief, but 安心 is a noun/する-verb that can be used in formal situations, while ほっとする is an onomatopoeic phrase that feels more immediate and casual. 安心 can also describe a lasting state of security, whereas ほっとする is usually a momentary feeling.
安心してください。
Please rest assured.
ほっとした顔をしている。
He looks relieved.
English 'What a relief!' is not directly translated word-for-word. Use phrases like よかった (I'm glad) or 助かった (That helped/saved me) instead of trying to use 安心 or 安堵 in every case.
それを聞いて安心した。
It's a relief to hear that.
その薬で痛みが和らいだ。
The medicine brought relief from the pain.
彼らは洪水の被災者に救援物資を送った。
They sent relief to the flood victims.
痛みが軽減された。
The pain was reduced.
貧困層への救済策が必要だ。
Relief measures for the poor are necessary.
The government strengthened support for disaster victims.
そろそろ休憩を取ってください。
Please take a break soon.
この浮き彫りは中世の作品です。
This relief is a medieval work.