Translation guide
The English word "assistant" can refer to various roles, from a helper in a workplace to a digital assistant. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context, relationship, and formality.
A person who assists in a professional or office setting, often in a subordinate role.
General term for an assistant, often used in academic, medical, or technical contexts. Can also mean 'helper' in a broader sense.
彼は研究室の助手として働いています。
He works as a research assistant in the lab.
Loanword from English, commonly used in creative industries, media, or general office settings. Implies a support role.
彼女はテレビ番組のアシスタントをしています。
She works as an assistant on a TV show.
Refers to an assistant who supports a superior, often in a formal or official capacity. Used in titles like 部長補佐 (assistant manager).
彼は社長補佐に任命されました。
He was appointed as assistant to the president.
Specifically a secretary or personal assistant, often handling administrative tasks for an executive.
彼女は社長の秘書です。
She is the president's secretary/assistant.
A person who helps customers in a store.
General term for a store clerk or shop assistant. Neutral and widely used.
店員にサイズを聞きました。
I asked the shop assistant about the size.
Specifically a salesperson or sales assistant, emphasizing the selling aspect.
A virtual assistant like Siri, Alexa, or a chatbot.
The loanword is standard for digital assistants. Often used in compound terms like AIアシスタント.
スマートフォンのアシスタントに話しかける。
I talk to my smartphone's assistant.
Specifically a voice assistant.
音声アシスタントが便利です。
Voice assistants are convenient.
An assistant with a specialized function, often part of a title.
Used in compounds like 医療助手 (medical assistant) or 教育助手 (teaching assistant).
彼は大学で教育助手をしています。
He works as a teaching assistant at the university.
Someone who helps out informally, like a volunteer or a friend.
Literally 'help' or 'helper'. Used for someone who assists with a task, often casually.
引っ越しの手伝いを頼んだ。
I asked for an assistant/helper for the move.
Colloquial term for a helper or someone who lends a hand, often in a pinch.
助手 is a native Japanese word often used in academic, medical, or technical settings. アシスタント is a loanword common in media, creative fields, and general office work. 補佐 implies a formal assistant role supporting a superior, often part of a title.
Do not use アシスタント for a shop assistant; use 店員 instead. アシスタント in a retail context would sound like a personal helper, not a store clerk.
販売員が新製品を説明してくれた。
The sales assistant explained the new product to me.
Also common in specialized roles, e.g., フォトアシスタント (photo assistant).
彼女はカメラマンのアシスタントです。
She is a photographer's assistant.
忙しいから助っ人を呼ぼう。
We're busy, so let's call in an assistant/helper.