福祉

• Reading: ふくし
• Romaji: fukushi
• Kanji breakdown: 福 (fuku) — fortune, blessing, happiness; 祉 (shi) — happiness, welfare
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.kɯ.ɕi/

Meaning

Welfare; well-being; social welfare; social services. Systems and programmes that support public well-being.

A noun commonly seen in government, healthcare, and news contexts. 福祉 refers to both the concept of well-being and the social systems designed to ensure it. Common collocations include 社会福祉 (social welfare), 福祉施設 (welfare facility), and 高齢者福祉 (elderly welfare).

Examples

1. 社会福祉の仕事に興味がある。 I'm interested in working in social welfare.
2. この町は福祉サービスが充実している。 This town has excellent welfare services.
3. 福祉施設でボランティアをしている。 I volunteer at a welfare facility.

Usage Guide

Context: government, healthcare, news

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 福 (fortune, blessing, happiness) and 祉 (happiness, welfare). Both characters convey happiness, emphasizing the pursuit of well-being.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal