世話

せわ
JLPT:N4
Frequency:
1

Care, looking after, or assistance given to a person, animal, or task; to take care of or help someone.

NounIrregular VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

毎朝、祖父の薬の世話をしています。

I take care of my grandfather's medicine every morning.

子どもの世話をしながら仕事をするのは大変だ。

It's hard to work while looking after children.

引っ越しのときは友達に世話になった。

My friends helped me a lot with the move.

ペットの世話を怠ると健康を損なう。

Neglecting to care for a pet will harm its health.

2

Trouble or bother (the inconvenience caused to someone); often used in phrases like 'none of your business' (余計なお世話).

Noun

Examples

そんなことを言われると、余計なお世話だと思う。

When you say that, I think it's none of your business.

迷惑をかけてしまい、世話になってすみません。

I'm sorry for causing trouble and for the help you've given me.

子どものことで親に世話をかけている。

I'm troubling my parents because of the kids.

3

Good offices; acting on someone's behalf to recommend, introduce, or arrange something (e.g., helping find a job or making an introduction).

NounIrregular VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

先輩の世話であの会社に入社できた。

Thanks to a senior's help/introduction, I was able to join that company.

大学の進路相談で先生に就職の世話をしてもらった。

A teacher helped me arrange job opportunities at the university career counseling.

彼は地区の行事の世話役を務めている。

He serves as the organizer (person in charge) for local events.

4

Everyday affairs or routine matters; handling daily tasks or affairs of life (used for routine, day-to-day dealings).

Noun

Examples

家事の世話は毎日の積み重ねだ。

Household chores are a matter of daily routine.

高齢の母の生活の世話をする必要がある。

I need to take care of my elderly mother's daily life.

店の世話を頼める人がいないと困る。

It would be a problem if there's no one to look after the shop's daily affairs.

5

Abbreviation referring to 'sewamono'—a genre of Edo-period drama about contemporary life (specialized, historical term).

NounAbbreviation

Examples

古典劇の研究で、世話(世話物)の特徴を調べた。

In my classical theater research I examined the characteristics of sewamono.

Word Relationships