How to say "patronage" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 贔屓ひいきnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers patronage as personal favour: regularly supporting a particular person, shop, or performer, or giving someone preferential treatment. The favouritism side of the meaning is often present.
- 庇護ひごnoun, suru verb, transitive verbPatronage as protection: shelter and backing given by a powerful person or authority to someone weaker, such as an artist or group under a ruler's wing.
- 肩入れかたいれnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbPatronage as personal backing: taking someone's side and actively supporting them, often with emotional involvement, as when backing a colleague, friend, or team one is rooting for.
- 賛助さんじょnoun, suru verb, transitive verbPatronage as sponsorship: support given to an organization, event, or activity by a company or group; the institutional sponsorship side of patronage.
- 保護ほごnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReally means protection, guardianship, or custody — shielding someone or something from harm. For 'patronage' it is seldom the word you want; only the protective side of the sense overlaps.
Choose 贔屓 for personal favouritism toward a person or shop, 庇護 for shelter by a powerful patron, 「肩入れ」 for personal backing, 賛助 for sponsorship of an organization or event, and rarely 保護, which really means protection.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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