How to say "charity" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe loanword, used mainly for charity in the institutional or event sense — charity concerts, fundraisers, and organizations. It is the natural choice when talking about charity as a modern social activity.The opera singer held a charity concert of his own accord.
- 布施ふせnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbSpecifically alms-giving in the Buddhist sense: offerings of money, food, or goods made to monks or temples as a religious act. It is not the word for charity in everyday or organizational contexts.
- 慈善じぜんnounCharity as benevolent activity or spirit — helping the poor and needy through philanthropic work. It appears in contexts such as charitable undertakings and is the standard written word for this sense.
- 施しほどこしnounThe act of giving alms or charity to those in need, focusing on the giving itself. It carries a nuance of dispensing help from a position of relative advantage, often toward beggars or the destitute.
- 博愛はくあいno-adjectiveCharity in the sense of universal love for humanity — benevolence and philanthropy as abstract ideals. It suits philosophical, ethical, or religious discussion rather than concrete acts of giving.
Use 「チャリティー」 for charity events and organizations, 慈善 for charitable work or spirit, 博愛 for love of humanity, and 布施 or 「施し」 for giving to the needy in religious or general contexts.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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