介抱

かいほう

nursing, looking after

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 介抱 (かいほう) means "nursing" or "looking after" someone who is sick or injured. It is often used in contexts where a person provides physical care and support, such as helping with daily needs or comforting someone who is unwell.

Common Contexts

介抱 is typically used in more serious or intimate situations, such as caring for a family member, friend, or patient. It implies hands-on assistance rather than just emotional support.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 介抱する: to nurse or look after someone
  • 介抱が必要: needing nursing care
  • 病人を介抱する: to take care of a sick person

Register and Politeness

介抱 is a formal or neutral term and is appropriate in both spoken and written Japanese, especially in medical or caregiving contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 介抱 with 看護 (かんご), which also means nursing but is more professional and medical. 介抱 is more general and can be used by family or friends, while 看護 often refers to professional nursing care.

Example Sentences

びょうきのははをまいにちかいほうしている。

I take care of my sick mother every day.

かいほうがひつようなひとにはやさしくせっしましょう。

Let's treat people who need nursing care gently.

かれはじこでけがをしたゆうじんをかいほうした。

He took care of his friend who was injured in an accident.