Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 救う | sukuu | [sɨ̥kɯ̟ː] (narrow) |
| 助ける | tasukeru | [ta̠sɨ̥ke̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) [sɨke̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 救助する | kyūjo suru | |
| 救出する | kyūshutsu suru |
In Japanese, the word you choose for 'save' depends entirely on what is being saved. Use 救う when referring to saving a life, a soul or someone from profound ruin. If you mean to help or assist someone in a general, non-life-threatening way, use 助ける. For instance, 保存する is used to save or maintain the original form of something and 節約します is used to say 'I save' in the context of saving or economizing resources.
Which one should you use?
There are distinct differences between these forms based on the level of danger and the context: – 救う is used for saving someone from death, ruin or a great disaster. – 助ける is a common, general word used to help or save someone from immediate physical danger or a difficult situation. It can also mean 'to help' or 'to assist'. – 救助する is used in formal or professional contexts, such as when emergency services perform a rescue operation. – 救出する specifically emphasizes the act of extracting or pulling someone out of a specific dangerous location, such as a trapped area or a collapsed building.
How do you pronounce it?
sukuu
Did you know?
- The verb 救う is a cognate of the Japanese word 掬う, which means to scoop up water or a fish with a ladle.
Examples in context
- トムを救うにはどうすればいいのですか。How can we save Tom?This sentence is useful for asking how to save someone using 救う.Tatoeba #2126653 by bunbuku, translation #1885948 by CK
- 彼女は彼を救うために命をかけました。She risked her life to save him.This sentence shows the use of 救う in the context of risking a life to save someone.Tatoeba #1490044 by marshmallowcat, translation #887357 by CK
- 助けるつもりか？やめておけ。お前の為にもそいつの為にもな。Are you thinking of going to save him? Forget about that, for both your sakes.This sentence demonstrates the use of 助ける when asking about helping someone.Tatoeba #10489140 by LeeSooHa, translation #10489141 by LeeSooHa
- 節約することは賢明です。(Setsuyaku suru koto wa kenmei desu.)Saving is wise.
- 画像を保存する。(Gazou wo hozon suru.)To save an image.
- 無駄遣いしないでお金を貯めてください。(Mudazukai shinaide okane wo tamete kudasai.)Save money instead of wasting it.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are talking about a superhero movie.
- 陽太 Yotaこのヒーローは世界を救うことができるかな？Kono hīrō wa sekai o sukuu koto ga dekiru kana?I wonder if this hero can save the world?
- 陽葵 Himariきっと救うと思うよ。とても強いから。Kitto sukuu to omou yo. Totemo tsuyoi kara.I'm sure he will save it. Because he is very strong.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。みんなを救う姿が見たいな。Sō da ne. Minna o sukuu sugata ga mitai na.True. I want to see him save everyone.
- 陽葵 Himari映画の最後まで見て確かめてみよう。Eiga no saigo made mite tashikamete miyō.Let's watch until the end of the movie and find out.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “save” translations and entries 救う, 助ける, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 助ける, 救う, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
