Japanese Conversation · Level 130
60 words
Japanese word
施す
Pronunciation
Romajihodokosu
Meaning
- verbgive
Example
困っている人に食べ物を施します。koma tte i ru hito ni ta be mono o hodoko shi ma su
I give food to people in need.
More examples
彼は災害で家を失った人々に毛布を施しました。kare wa sai gai de ie o ushina tta hito bito ni mō fu o hodoko shi ma shi ta
He donated blankets to people who lost their homes in the disaster.
Core concept
Frames giving as providing resources to someone who lacks them, often with a sense of aid or charity.
Common phrases
米を施すbei o hodoko su
give rice
金品を施すkin pin o hodoko su
give money and goods
Similar words
与えるataeru: To give something to another person or group without specifying a charitable purpose.
恵むmegumu: To give money, food, or other help to a person in need.
寄付するkifusuru: To give money or property to support an organization, cause, or public purpose.
Definition in Japanese
困っている人に、食べ物や金品などを恵み与える。koma tte i ru hito ni ta be mono ya kin pin na do o megu mi ata e ru
Word origin
施す (hodokosu) is a native Japanese verb whose original word formation is uncertain, while its written form uses 施 (shi, "to bestow or apply") for the sense of giving or applying.
Usage tips
- In modern Japanese, this verb sounds more formal and charitable than the everyday verb for giving, so it commonly appears in descriptions of aid, donations, and religious charity.