Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 支える | sasaeru | [sa̠sa̠e̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) [t͡sɨ̥ka̠e̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 支援する | shien suru |
Japanese uses different verbs to express 'support' based on whether the aid is physical, resource-based or ideological. 支える is used to support something physically, like a pillar or metaphorically, like a person's life or a foundation. 支援する is used specifically for providing assistance with resources, such as financial, technical or organizational support for a cause or project. If you are supporting someone's ideas, opinions or policies, you should use 支持する. If you are providing assistance or aid, 援助する is the appropriate term.
Which one should you use?
支える describes physical or metaphorical support for a foundation or person. 支援する focuses on providing aid or resources for a project or cause. 支持する is used when expressing agreement with or backing a specific political party, opinion or policy.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 扶養 is a specific legal or financial term used when talking about the support of dependents, such as children or elderly family members.
How do you pronounce it?
sasaeru
When do people say it?
When you want to cheer someone on or show support in an informal way, you can use 応援してるよ to mean 'I'm supporting you'. To ask someone if they will support or cheer for you in a friendly, informal manner, use 応援してくれる？ You might also hear 応援するよ as an informal way to say you will support someone, or the phrases がんばって (do your best) and 頑張って (keep going) to encourage others.
Did you know?
- In sports and fandom, 応援 is often expressed through organized chanting and rhythmic drumming, which is a more structured form of 'support' than in many English-speaking cultures.
- While 応援する means 'to support', its literal meaning is 'to cheer on'. In Japanese culture, this implies providing emotional energy to help someone persevere through a challenge.
- When using 応援している to support someone, Japanese speakers often omit the subject 'I' and the object 'you', as the context of the relationship makes the support implicit.
Examples in context
- チームの屋台骨を支えるTo support the foundation of the teamThis sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 'to support the foundation of the team' using 支える.
- どうにかしてトムを支える。I'll support Tom any way I can.This sentence is useful for expressing the sentiment 'I'll support Tom any way I can' using 支える.Tatoeba #5692031 by Zetsuji, translation #5691911 by CK
- 大学の野球チームを応援します。I will support the university baseball team.
- 私は彼の提案を支持します。I support his proposal.
- 被災者を援助するために寄付をしてください。Please donate to support the disaster victims.
- マラソン大会で私を応援してよ！Support me at the marathon event, okay?
- 明日のプレゼンテーション、応援してくれる？Will you support me in tomorrow's presentation?
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are discussing their future goals.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くんは、誰に支えられていると感じる？Ren-kun wa, dare ni sasaerarete iru to kanjiru?Ren, who do you feel is supporting you?
- 蓮 Renやっぱり、親が一番に支えてくれているよ。Yappari, oya ga ichiban ni sasaete kurete iru yo.As expected, my parents are the ones supporting me the most.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは心強いね。Sore wa kokorozuyoi ne.That's very encouraging.
- 蓮 Ren結衣ちゃんのことも、僕が支えるよ。Yui-chan no koto mo, boku ga sasaeru yo.I will support you too, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “support” translations and entries 支える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
