How to say "supporter" in Japanese

• 味方みかたJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjectiveWhen 'supporter' means someone on your side — an ally or friend who backs you in an argument, contest, or difficulty — this is the natural choice.
  私は民主主義みんしゅしゅぎの味方みかただ。↗

  I am on the side of democracy.
• サポーターCommon
  nounThe loanword to reach for when 'supporter' means the equipment: a band or brace worn to support a body part such as the wrist, or an athletic supporter (jockstrap).
• 助っ人すけっとCommon
  noun'Supporter' as a helper or backer — a person you call in to lend a hand or back you up, often when you are short-handed.
• 有志ゆうしCommon
  no-adjective'Supporter' in the volunteer sense — people who back or take part in a cause of their own accord, often spoken of as a group behind a project or movement.
  その協会きょうかいは有志ゆうしを求もとめる広告こうこくをテレビに出だした。↗

  The institution advertised on TV for volunteers.
• 働き手はたらきてCommon
  noun'Supporter' in the breadwinner sense — a worker who supports a household or workplace by their labor or earnings; it does not mean an ally or backer.
  企業きぎょうは率先そっせんして事ことにあたる働き手はたらきてを歓迎かんげいする。↗

  Companies welcome workers who take initiative.

Use 味方 for an ally on your side, 「助っ人」 for a helper you call in, 有志 for volunteers behind a cause, 「働き手」 for the breadwinner, and 「サポーター」 for the equipment sense — a wrist supporter or athletic supporter.

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

• 味方みかたfriend
• サポーターsupporter (e.g. wrist supporter)
• 助っ人すけっとhelper
• 有志ゆうしinterested person
• 働き手はたらきてworker
• 後押しあとおしpushing
• 後ろ盾うしろだてbacking
• 篤志家とくしかcharitable person
• 支援者しえんしゃsupporter
• 支持者しじしゃsupporter
• 後援者こうえんしゃsupporter
• 扶養者ふようしゃsupporter
• 賛成者さんせいしゃsupporter
• 応援者おうえんしゃsupporter
• 援助者えんじょしゃsupporter
• バッカーbacker
• 賛助員さんじょいんbacker
• 補助者ほじょしゃassistant
• 賛同者さんどうしゃadvocate
• 理解者りかいしゃunderstanding person
• 贔屓ひいきpatron
• 担い手にないてperson bearing responsibility
• 屋台骨やたいぼねmainstay
• バックbacking
• 助太刀すけだちhelper