応援|おうえんouen[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbaid; assistance; help; support; reinforcement
    何事なにごとが起おころうとも、君きみを応援おうえんするよ。↗
    I will stand by you whatever happens.
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verbcheering; rooting (for); support
    彼女かのじょは自分じぶんのひいきの馬うまを応援おうえんした。↗
    She cheered for her favorite horse.
Conjugation
Dictionary form応援する(おうえんする)
Polite (masu)応援します(おうえんします)
Negative (nai)応援しない(おうえんしない)
polite (masen)応援しません(おうえんしません)
classical zu / nu応援せず・応援せぬ(おうえんせず・おうえんせぬ)
Past (ta)応援した(おうえんした)
polite (mashita)応援しました(おうえんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)応援しなかった(おうえんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)応援しませんでした(おうえんしませんでした)
Te form応援して(おうえんして)
Potential応援できる(おうえんできる)
Passive応援される(おうえんされる)
Causative応援させる(おうえんさせる)
Causative passive応援させられる(おうえんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)応援すれば(おうえんすれば)
tara応援したら(おうえんしたら)
Volitional応援しよう(おうえんしよう)
polite (mashou)応援しましょう(おうえんしましょう)
Imperative応援しろ(おうえんしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym援助えんじょWrittenWritten-style word for aid in money, goods, or technical know-how to those in trouble, as in 「経済援助」「技術援助」; lacks the cheering sense of 「応援」.
  • Synonym支援しえんNeutralNeutral term for backing or aiding someone in need — people, groups, or whole regions, as in 「被災地支援」「学生を支援する」; no cheering nuance.
  • Synonym後援こうえんWrittenWritten-style word for backing or sponsoring an event from behind the scenes, as in 「後援会」「新聞社後援」; 「応援」 also covers cheering in person.
  • Synonym援護えんごWrittenWritten-style word for covering or shielding someone, as in 「援護射撃」, and for social-welfare aid; 「応援」 carries no idea of covering.
  • Synonym後押しあとおしCasualColloquial word for a push from behind or backing that moves someone forward, as in 「背中を後押しする」.
  • Synonym加勢かせいNeutralJoining one side to help out or reinforce, as in 「味方に加勢する」; 「応援」 can be mere cheering from the sidelines.
  • Synonym力添えちからぞえNeutralLending a hand; often heard in the polite request 「お力添えください」. 「応援」 is more common and also means cheering.
  • SynonymアシストNeutralLoanword for assisting — sports assists or mechanical aid; no cheering nuance.
  • SynonymサポートNeutralLoanword for support or assistance, as in 「サポートセンター」; common in business. 「応援」 leans toward cheering someone on.
  • SynonymバックアップNeutralLoanword for backing someone up from behind, also data backup; 「応援」 leans toward cheering or sending reinforcements.
  • Synonym声援せいえんNeutralSupport voiced in words or shouts, as in 「声援を送る」 — encouragement above all; 「応援」 also covers practical help.
  • Synonym協賛きょうさんWrittenWritten-style word for sponsoring an event, usually companies putting up money, as in 「協賛企業」; 「応援」 is not tied to funding.
  • Synonym支持しじNeutralBacking a person or opinion on the level of stance, as in 「政党を支持する」; 「応援」 stresses cheering and lending a hand.
  • Synonym助けたすけNeutralA noun for help, as in 「助けを求める」; no cheering sense, which 「応援」 has alongside practical aid.
  • Synonym助力じょりょくWrittenWritten-style word for lending one's strength, as in 「ご助力」; 「応援」 is more colloquial and also means cheering.
  • Synonym助勢じょせいWrittenWritten-style word for helping or reinforcing, now rare; in daily speech people say 「応援」 or 「手助け」.
  • Related助けるたすけるNeutralA verb covering help and rescue in a broad range; 「応援」 centers on encouragement or sending reinforcements.
  • Related補助ほじょNeutralFilling in what is lacking, auxiliary help, or a subsidy, as in 「補助金」「補助輪」; 「応援」 centers on cheering or reinforcements.
  • Related加担かたんNeutralTaking part in or aiding something, often something bad, as in 「犯罪に加担する」 — a negative shade 「応援」 lacks.
  • Related後ろ盾うしろだてNeutralA backer or patron behind you, stressing powerful backing; 「応援」 is the act of supporting itself.
  • Related肩入れかたいれNeutralColloquial word for favoring or especially backing one side; 「応援」 need not imply favoritism.
  • Related賛助さんじょWrittenWritten-style word for aiding a cause you agree with, in money or effort, as in 「賛助会員」; limited to causes and activities.
  • Related援護射撃えんごしゃげきNeutralCovering fire, used figuratively for speaking up for someone in a dispute; 「応援」 has much wider use.
  • Antonym妨害ぼうがいNeutralObstructing or interfering with what someone is trying to do — the opposite of 「応援」, hindering where it helps.
  • Antonym反対はんたいNeutralOpposing a person or idea — the opposite of 「応援」 on the level of stance.

Use 「応援」 for cheering someone on or sending reinforcements. For vocal encouragement pick 「声援」; for hands-on backing 「支援」; for aid in money or technology 「援助」; for standing behind a person or idea 「支持」. 「妨害」 is the opposite, hindering rather than helping.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 困こまっている人ひとや頑張がんばっている人ひとを手助てだすけし、励はげますこと。
  2. 競技きょうぎ・試合しあいなどで、声援せいえんや拍手はくしゅを送おくって味方みかたの選手せんしゅを元気げんき付つけること。
  3. 人手ひとでが足たりない場ばに行いき補佐ほさ的てきに作業さぎょうなどを行おこなうこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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