How to say "services" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 貢献こうけんnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers services rendered to a cause, organization, or field — contributions that further it. Think of someone's services to science, society, or a company's growth.
- 功労こうろうnounMeans meritorious deeds: services viewed as achievements deserving recognition. It is seldom the word you want for 'services' in general; it fits only when someone's services are being credited or honored.
- 斡旋あっせんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'services' in the sense of good or kind offices — a third party's helpful intermediation, using its influence to help two sides come together.
- 尽力じんりょくnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'services' as efforts or assistance: exerting oneself on behalf of a person, project, or cause. The emphasis falls on the hard work and help given, not on services as an offering.
- nounMeans a program, schedule, or course — the set of things on offer. It fits 'services' only when you mean the list of services a business provides, and is otherwise not a translation of 'services'.
Use 貢献 for services to a cause, 功労 for recognized meritorious services, 斡旋 for intermediary good offices, 尽力 for personal efforts or assistance, and 「メニュー」 only for the lineup of services on offer.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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