Translation guide
The English word 'services' can refer to commercial services, acts of assistance, religious ceremonies, military branches, or utility connections. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
To refer to services provided by businesses, professionals, or organizations, such as consulting, repair, or hospitality.
The most common and versatile word for commercial services. It covers a wide range of service industries and is often used in compound words.
このホテルのサービスは素晴らしい。
The service at this hotel is excellent.
アフターサービスが充実している。
The after-sales service is comprehensive.
Refers to business operations or professional services, often used in formal contexts like 'legal services' or 'financial services'.
法律業務を提供しています。
We provide legal services.
Used for services as a line of business or enterprise, e.g., 'transportation services'. More about the business entity than the act of serving.
運輸事業を展開している。
They operate transportation services.
To talk about helping someone or doing something for someone, often in a personal or voluntary context.
General word for help or assistance, often used for informal, personal favors.
彼の手伝いが必要だ。
I need his services (help).
Implies voluntary or selfless service, often for a cause or community. Can sound formal or altruistic.
Means 'efforts' or 'services rendered', often used in formal thank-you speeches or letters.
To refer to a formal religious ceremony, such as a church service.
Standard term for a religious service, especially in Christian contexts.
日曜日の礼拝に出席した。
I attended the Sunday service.
Buddhist memorial service or ceremony.
Specifically a Catholic Mass.
ミサに与る。
To attend Mass.
To refer to a branch of the military, such as the army, navy, or air force.
To refer to the provision of utilities like gas, water, or electricity to a building.
Means 'supply' and is used for utility services. Often combined with the utility name.
ガスの供給が止まった。
The gas service was cut off.
Refers to facilities or equipment, sometimes used for utility connections in real estate contexts.
English often uses 'services' in the plural, but Japanese typically uses the singular concept or a different structure. For example, 'financial services' is 金融サービス (singular), not 金融サービスたち.
金融サービス
financial services
サービス is the default for customer-facing services (hotels, restaurants, IT). 業務 is used for professional or operational services (legal, accounting) and sounds more formal.
I participated in community service activities.
ご尽力に感謝します。
Thank you for your services (efforts).
祖父の法要を行った。
We held a memorial service for my grandfather.
軍隊での経験がある。
He has experience in the services.
This apartment has no gas service.