Nuance & Usage
介護する refers to caring for elderly or physically disabled people who need daily living assistance. It is a particularly important word in contemporary Japanese society, given Japan's rapidly aging population (超高齢化社会 — super-aged society). Related vocabulary: 介護士/介護福祉士 (caregiver/care worker), 介護保険 (kaigo hoken — long-term care insurance), 在宅介護 (zaitaku kaigo — home care), 介護施設 (care facility). 看護する (kango suru) is a related term meaning to nurse someone who is ill.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 介護する (kaigo suru — long-term care for elderly/disabled) with 看護する (kango suru — to nurse someone who is sick, more medical). 介護 is about daily life support for those who cannot care for themselves due to age or disability; 看護 is medical nursing care for the ill. Also: 世話をする (sewa o suru — to take care of someone/something, broader term used for children, pets, and elderly) overlaps with 介護 but is less specific.
Example Sentences (3)
父が倒れてから、母が毎日介護をしています。
ちちがたおれてから、ははがまいにちかいごをしています。
Since my father collapsed, my mother has been providing care for him every day.
日本では高齢化が進み、介護の問題が深刻になっています。
にほんではこうれいかがすすみ、かいごのもんだいがしんこくになっています。
In Japan, with the advancing aging of society, the issue of elder care is becoming serious.
介護の仕事はとても大変ですが、やりがいがあります。
かいごのしごとはとてもたいへんですが、やりがいがあります。
Care work is very hard, but it is deeply rewarding.
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