How to say "rescue" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 救うすくうgodan verb, transitive verbVerb meaning to rescue or save someone from danger, and by extension to save someone from hardship or relieve them of distress. Typical for rescuing a drowning person or saving a victim.
- 助けるたすけるichidan verb, transitive verbVerb covering rescue and saving, but its core sense is broader: to help or assist. Often the natural verb when helping someone in trouble, whether or not the situation is life-threatening.
- 救出きゅうしゅつnoun, suru verb, transitive verbNoun (suru-verb) for rescuing or extricating someone from a dangerous place, such as freeing people trapped in a collapsed building. Suited to physical removal from danger rather than general helping.
- nounLoanword for rescue, common in names of rescue teams, services, and equipment. As a general noun or verb in ordinary sentences it is less typical than the other words here.
- 救助きゅうじょnoun, suru verb, transitive verbNoun for rescue, relief, or aid, often for organized efforts to save people in accidents or disasters. Covers both rescue and broader relief work, so it can be less specific than 救出.
Use 「救う」 or 「助ける」 for the verb 'to rescue' (「救う」 emphasizes saving from danger or hardship, 「助ける」 general helping), and the nouns 救出, 救助, 「レスキュー」 for the act of rescue, with 「レスキュー」 the loanword often for rescue operations or teams.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
