How to say "spare" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 助けるたすけるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers sparing someone from harm, punishment, or trouble — to save or rescue them. Use it when sparing a person's life or sparing them a burden, not for spare objects or money.
- 惜しむおしむgodan verb, transitive verbCovers sparing effort, expense, or resources — holding back or being frugal with something you value. Use it when someone does not spare time or trouble, or is sparing with money.
- nounThe noun for a spare as an object, such as a spare part or spare tire. Use it when the English 'spare' is a countable noun naming the backup item itself.
- 予備よびno-adjectiveCovers the adjective-like sense of something held in reserve, a spare kept for future need. Use it for spare or reserve items kept on hand, as in a spare supply or backup.
- 余すあますgodan verb, transitive verbCovers sparing a portion of something — saving or leaving some of it over rather than using it all. Use it when part of money, food, or time remains after the rest is spent.
For spare people, use 「助ける」; for sparing effort or money, 「惜しむ」; for spare parts or tires, 「スペア」; for spare or reserve items, 予備; for leaving something over, 「余す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 助けるたすけるto save
- 惜しむおしむto spare
- スペアspare (part, tire, etc.)
- 予備よびreserve
- 余すあますto save
- 控えひかえreserve
- 余計よけいextra
- とっておきreserve
- 予備装置よびそうちreserve equipment
- とっときreserve
- 補用ほようreplacement
- 厭ういとうto be loath to
- 簡勁かんけいcrisp
- 手放すてばなすto part with (e.g. a possession)
- 替えかえsubstitute
- 補欠ほけつsubstitute
- 取るとるto take up (time, space)
- 裂くさくto spare (time, money, etc.)
See also
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