How to say "supplement" in Japanese

• 追加ついかJLPT N2approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers 'addition' rather than 'supplement' in the strict sense; it means adding something extra, such as extra content or an appendix. It is often not the word you want when 'supplement' implies filling a gap.
  名簿めいぼに私の名前なまえも追加ついかしてください。↗

  Please add my name to the list.
• 補足ほそくJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjective, suru verb, transitive verbUsed for supplementary information that complements a main explanation, e.g. adding details to make an account complete. This is the usual choice for 'supplement' in the sense of added explanation.
  彼かれの説明せつめいに何なんか補足ほそくすることがありますか。↗

  Do you have anything to add to his explanation?
• 補うおぎなうJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to supplement or make up for something insufficient or missing, such as compensating for a shortage or loss. Use this when 'supplement' is a verb about covering a lack.
  あなたの食事しょくじにはビタミンを補おぎなうほうがよい。↗

  You had better supplement your diet with vitamins.
• サプリCommon
  nounThe colloquial abbreviation for dietary or nutritional supplements (short for サプリメント). When 'supplement' refers to pills, powders or health products, this is the word to use.
• 補充ほじゅうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to supplementation or replenishment, replacing or refilling what has been used up or is lacking, such as restocking supplies or filling vacancies. It suits 'supplement' in the sense of replenishing.
  空所くうしょを補充ほじゅうせよ。↗

  Fill in the blanks.

Use 「サプリ」 for dietary supplements, 補足 for supplementary explanatory information, 補充 for replenishing a shortage or stock, 「補う」 (verb) for making up for what is lacking, and 追加 simply for adding something extra.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 追加ついかaddition
• 補足ほそくsupplement
• 補うおぎなうto supplement
• サプリsupplement
• 補充ほじゅうreplenishment
• 加算かさんaddition
• 付録ふろくappendix
• 別冊べっさつseparate volume
• 添え物そえものaddition
• 補いおぎないreplenishment
• 付記ふきaddition
• サプリメントsupplement
• 足したしsupplement
• 追補ついほsupplement
• 補遺ほいsupplement
• 補巻ほかんsupplement
• 足し前たしまえsupplement
• 付け足しつけたしaddition
• 足しにするたしにするto make up (a deficiency)
• プラスオンextras
• 付かたりつかたりaddition
• 補助ほじょsubsidy