施す

• Reading: ほどこす
• Romaji: hodokosu
• Kanji breakdown: 施 (hodoko/shi/se) — to give, bestow, apply, administer
• Pronunciation: /ho.do.ko.sɯ/

Meaning

To give; to donate; to bestow. Used for providing assistance, charity, or applying a treatment or technique.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. Has two main uses: (1) charitable giving — donating money, goods, or help to those in need, and (2) applying/administering — applying a technique, treatment, or decoration. The noun form 施し (hodokoshi, charity/alms) is also common.

Examples

1. 困っている人に食料を施した。 Food was given to people in need.
2. 建物の外壁に防水加工を施す予定だ。 We plan to apply a waterproof coating to the building's exterior walls.
3. 彼は地域の子どもたちに教育の施しをしている。 He provides educational support to children in the local community.

Usage Guide

Context: charity, construction, treatment

Tone: dignified

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 施 means 'to bestow' or 'to apply,' originally used in Buddhist contexts for charitable giving (布施, fuse). The reading ほどこす is the native Japanese (kun) reading.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal