How to say "care" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbCare in medical and health-related contexts, and the sense of attention; the word heard in hospitals and nursing settings when discussing the care a patient receives.
- 世話せわnoun, suru verb, transitive verbEveryday care in the sense of looking after someone and helping with daily needs; the natural word for taking care of children, pets, guests or a sick person.
- 愛あいnoun, noun (suffix)Really the word for love and affection; its 'care' sense is loving, tender care, so it is seldom the word you want for practical or everyday care.
- 治療ちりょうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCare in the concrete medical sense: it means treatment, therapy or cure, so choose it when 'care' refers to treating an illness or injury rather than looking after someone.
- 介護かいごnoun, suru verb, transitive verbNursing care and caregiving: looking after people, often the elderly or infirm, who need help with daily living; the word used in nursing-care contexts.
For medical care choose 「ケア」 or 治療, for nursing the infirm 介護, for everyday looking after 世話; 愛 means love and is rarely the word for care.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- ケアcare (e.g. medical)
- 世話せわcare
- 愛あいlove
- 治療ちりょう(medical) treatment
- 介護かいごnursing
- 手入れていれcare
- 用心ようじんcare
- 気配りきくばりcare
- 屈託くったくworry
- 気苦労きぐろうworry
- サービスservice
- 配慮はいりょconsideration
- 心遣いこころづかいconsideration (for)
- 心がけこころがけ(mental) attitude
- 念入れねんいれcare
- 撫育ぶいくcare
- 気骨きぼねworry
- 戒心かいしんcaution
- 御念ごねんworry
- 意に介するいにかいするto mind
- だらしprudence
- 養護ようごnursing
- 注意ちゅういcare
- 心配しんぱいcare
- 面倒めんどうcare
- 厄介やっかいcare
- 念ねんattention
- 介するかいするto worry
- ご注意ごちゅういcare
- 介すかいすto worry
- 気きcare
- 手てtrouble
See also
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