How to say "dependent" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 家族滞在かぞくたいざいnounCovers 'dependent' as a family member, specifically the status of residing in Japan as an accompanying dependent of a worker or student. This is an administrative/visa term, not everyday vocabulary.
- 被扶養者ひふようしゃnounThe standard term for a dependent in the sense of a person financially supported by another, as in tax, insurance, and household contexts. Use this for paperwork or formal talk about who supports whom.
- 冷や飯食いひやめしくいnounRefers to a hanger-on, someone living off another person's support, often with a slightly disdainful nuance. As 'dependent' it is marginal; the primary sense is the freeloading idiom, so it is seldom the word you want.
- 部屋子へやごnounA young adult who still lives at home, in effect dependent on their parents. Use only for that situation of an grown child remaining in the family home, not for dependents in general.
- 隷属的れいぞくてきna-adjectiveAn adjective meaning dependent in the sense of subordinate or servile, describing a relationship or attitude rather than a person. Choose this when 'dependent' implies lack of autonomy, as in a dependent position.
For 'dependent' as a person supported financially use 被扶養者; 家族滞在 is a visa status for accompanying family; the others cover a person living off others, an adult living at home, or a subordinate relationship respectively.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
