How to say "assistance" in Japanese

• 補助ほじょJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbAssistance given as a supplement to something else, such as financial or governmental aid. It implies support that tops up or reinforces rather than rescues.
  その飛行機ひこうきは補助ほじょロケットを使つかって離陸りりくした。↗

  The airplane used a rocket motor to assist with takeoff.
• 助けたすけJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for direct, hands-on help when someone needs assistance in a concrete situation. It carries a human, personal nuance, as in asking for or offering help.
  けがした男おとこは大声おおごえで助たすけを求もとめた。↗

  The injured man cried for help.
• サービスJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAssistance in the sense of a service provided by a business or institution, such as customer care or free extras. It is not used for a personal favor or a rescue.
  あの店みせはサービスが良よい。↗

  That store gives good service.
• 応援おうえんJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbAssistance as backing or moral support for a person, team, or effort, including cheering. Often a poor choice for practical aid, since its core sense is support and encouragement.
  何事なにごとが起おころうとも、君きみを応援おうえんするよ。↗

  I will stand by you whatever happens.
• アシストCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbAssistance borrowed from English, used mainly for assists in sports or for helping a task along. For general situations it is marginal, and 助け is usually the word you want.

Choose 補助 for supplementary/financial aid, 「助け」 for direct hands-on help, 「サービス」 for customer or institutional services, 応援 for cheering or backing a person or team, and 「アシスト」 for sports or technical assists.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 補助ほじょassistance
• 助けたすけassistance
• サービスservice
• 応援おうえんaid
• アシストassistance
• 援助えんじょassistance
• 助成じょせいassisting
• 手助けてだすけa help
• 補佐ほさaid
• 介助かいじょhelp
• 加担かたんsupport
• 加勢かせいassistance
• 助力じょりょくassistance
• 来援らいえんassistance
• 力添えちからぞえhelp
• 扶助ふじょaid
• 支援しえんsupport
• 世話せわcare
• 尽力じんりょくefforts
• 助すけassistance
• 幇助ほうじょassistance
• 助太刀すけだちassistance (in a fight)
• アシスタンスassistance
• おかげさま(someone's) assistance
• 佑助ゆうじょassistance
• 翼賛よくさんsupporting (e.g. a government)
• 輔弼ほひつgiving the Emperor advice on affairs of state
• 輔翼ほよくaid
• お世話おせわhelp
• 救恤きゅうじゅつrelief
• 肝いりきもいりgood offices
• 扶翼ふよくhelp
• 手伝いてつだいhelp
• 合力ごうりょくassistance
• お手伝いおてつだいhelp
• 心配しんぱいcare
• おかげassistance
• 羽翼うよくassistance
• 力ちからsupport
• 人手ひとでhelp