Meaning and Usage
"助手" (じょしゅ) means "assistant" or "helper" and is commonly used to refer to someone who supports a professional, such as a professor, doctor, or researcher. It often implies a formal or work-related helping role rather than casual help.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "助手" in academic, medical, or technical settings where a person assists a higher-ranking professional. For example, a "教授の助手" is a professor's assistant, and a "医師の助手" is a doctor's assistant.
Collocations and Patterns
- "教授の助手" — assistant to a professor, used in academic contexts.
- "助手を雇う" — to hire an assistant, common in workplaces.
- "助手として働く" — to work as an assistant, describing one's role.
Register and Politeness
"助手" is a neutral, formal noun suitable for professional or polite conversation. It is not casual and is rarely used for informal helping roles.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "助手" with casual helpers or friends who help. Remember, "助手" implies a formal assistant role, not just anyone who helps. For casual help, words like "手伝い" or "助ける" are more appropriate.