Meaning
The kanji 助 (助) means "help," "assist," "save," and "rescue." It describes actively providing support or aid to someone, or the state of receiving help in a difficult situation. You'll find this kanji frequently in Japanese vocabulary, especially in words related to support, cooperation, and emergency services.
Its etymology helps us understand its meaning. 助 is a semantic-phonetic compound, made of two main parts. On the right, we have the radical 力 (力), meaning "power" or "strength." On the left is 且 (且), which acts as a phonetic element (for the 'cho' or 'jo' sound) and also hints at adding something or providing support. Ancient forms of 且 sometimes depicted an altar or workbench, suggesting a platform for support. So, the combined character visually represents "adding strength" or "providing power" to someone or something. This directly translates to the act of helping or assisting. The visual components intuitively convey the idea of one entity lending strength or offering a base of support to another.
This kanji has 7 strokes. Japanese elementary school students learn it in Grade 3, which reflects its fundamental role in everyday communication.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi (音読み) are readings adapted from Chinese pronunciations. They are generally used when the kanji appears in compound words with other kanji. For 助, the main on'yomi is ジョ.
ジョ (jo): This is the most common on'yomi. You'll frequently see it in compound words related to assistance, aid, and support. It can appear as the first or second kanji in these compounds. For example, when 助 is the second kanji, it sometimes undergoes rendaku (sequential voicing), changing from ジョ to ヂョ (jo), though its origin is still the ジョ reading.
援助 (enjo) — aid, assistance, support (e.g., financial aid)
助手 (joshu) — assistant, helper (e.g., a lab assistant)
助言 (jogen) — advice, suggestion (literally 'help word')
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi (訓読み) are native Japanese readings, usually used when the kanji stands alone with okurigana (hiragana endings) or in native Japanese compound words. The kanji 助 has several key kun'yomi, mainly in verb forms.
たす.ける (tasu.keru): This is the transitive verb meaning "to help (someone)," "to save (someone)," or "to rescue (someone)." It describes actively providing aid to someone else.
人を助ける (hito wo tasukeru) — to help a person
命を助ける (inochi wo tasukeru) — to save a life
助けを求める (tasuke o motomeru) — to ask for help
たす.かる (tasu.karu): This is the intransitive verb meaning "to be helped," "to be saved," or "to be rescued." It indicates the state of receiving help or finding relief from a difficult situation.
命が助かる (inochi ga tasukaru) — a life is saved
助かりました (tasukarimashita) — I was saved/helped (often used as "Thank goodness!")
家事が助かる (kaji ga tasukaru) — housework becomes easier/is helped (e.g., by an appliance)
すけ (suke): This reading is less common in everyday vocabulary. However, you'll find it in personal names or specific, often older, titles and terms. It typically signifies an "assistant" or "helper."
助さん (suke-san) — a common name ending or informal address for someone named "Suke" (famously from Mito Komon).
助 (suke) — a name element (e.g., 助次郎)
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 助 appears in many compounds, covering different aspects of help, support, and professional roles. Learning these words is key to mastering its use.
General Assistance & Aid:
援助 (enjo) — aid, assistance, support (e.g., financial aid, international aid)
補助 (hojo) — subsidy, assistance, supplementary (can also be an adjective, e.g., 補助的 - supplementary)
救助 (kyūjo) — rescue, relief, salvage (e.g., disaster rescue efforts)
互助 (gojo) — mutual aid, cooperation (e.g., a mutual aid society)
Roles & Titles:
助手 (joshu) — assistant, helper (e.g., lab assistant, teaching assistant)
助教授 (jokyōju) — associate professor (historically, now usually 准教授)
助産師 (josanshi) — midwife (literally "help-birth-master," signifying one who assists in childbirth)
助監督 (jokantoku) — assistant director (e.g., in film production)
Actions & Expressions:
助け合う (tasukeau) — to help each other, to cooperate
助け舟 (tasukebune) — a helping hand, assistance (literally 'rescue boat,' referring to timely help)
助太刀 (sukedachi) — to come to one's aid, to second (in a fight or argument, often implies armed assistance)
Example Sentences
友達が宿題を助けてくれました。
Tomodachi ga shukudai o tasukete kuremashita.
My friend helped me with my homework.
困っている人を助けるのは大切なことです。
Komatteiru hito o tasukeru no wa taisetsu na koto desu.
It is important to help people who are in trouble.
地震の後、たくさんの人が被災地の救助活動に参加しました。
Jishin no ato, takusan no hito ga hisaichi no kyūjo katsudō ni sanka shimashita.
After the earthquake, many people participated in rescue activities in the affected area.
この新しい機械のおかげで、仕事が大いに助かりました。
Kono atarashii kikai no okage de, shigoto ga daii ni tasukarimashita.
Thanks to this new machine, my work was greatly helped (made much easier).
彼女は研究室で先生の助手をしています。
Kanojo wa kenkyūshitsu de sensei no joshu o shiteimasu.
She works as an assistant to the professor in the lab.
困ったときは、遠慮なく助けを求めてください。
Komatta toki wa, enryo naku tasuke o motomete kudasai.
When you are in trouble, please don't hesitate to ask for help.
皆で協力し合い、互いに助け合うことが平和な社会を築く上で不可欠です。
Minna de kyōryoku shiai, tagai ni tasukeau koto ga heiwa na shakai o kizuku ue de fukaketsu desu.
Cooperating with everyone and helping each other is indispensable for building a peaceful society.
市役所は子育て世帯への経済的な補助金を提供しています。
Shiyakusho wa kosodate setai e no keizaiteki na hojokin o teikyō shiteimasu.
The city hall provides financial subsidies to child-rearing households.
病気の時、家族の援助は本当に心強かったです。
Byōki no toki, kazoku no enjo wa hontō ni kokorodzuyokatta desu.
When I was sick, the support from my family was truly reassuring.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 助, focus on its components. The right side is 力 (力), meaning "power" or "strength." The left side, 且, is historically complex, but for mnemonic purposes, you can simplify it. Imagine it as a person standing next to someone, offering a "hand" or a "side" to provide additional strength. Thus, the kanji visually represents someone adding their "strength" from the "side" to "help" another. Another way to visualize it is to see 且 as a crossbeam or support structure, symbolizing something being added or supported. The 力 radical then represents the strength applied to it, providing assistance.