補助

• Reading: ほじょ
• Romaji: hojo
• Kanji breakdown: 補 (ho) — supplement, assist; 助 (jo) — help, aid
• Pronunciation: /ho.dʑo/

Meaning

Assistance; support; aid. Helping someone or supplementing something to make up for what is lacking.

A noun and suru verb used for providing supplementary help, particularly financial or institutional. Very common in compounds: 補助金 (subsidy/grant), 補助輪 (training wheels), 補助席 (auxiliary seat). Often used in government, education, and business contexts where support is given to fill a gap or enable an activity that would otherwise be difficult.

Examples

1. 政府は中小企業に対して補助金を出している。 The government provides subsidies to small and medium-sized businesses.
2. 子供が自転車に乗れるようになるまで補助輪をつけていた。 Training wheels were kept on until the child learned to ride a bike.
3. 教授の研究を補助するアシスタントを募集している。 We are looking to hire an assistant to support the professor's research.

Usage Guide

Context: government, education, business, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 補 (ho, to supplement/assist) + 助 (jo, to help/aid). Literally 'to supplement and help,' describing support that fills a deficiency or strengthens a weaker party.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal