Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'donation' depends on the context: monetary contributions, charitable giving, blood/organ donation, or offering items. The most common and versatile word is 寄付 (kifu), but other terms like 募金 (bokin) for fundraising and 献血 (kenketsu) for blood donation are essential. This guide covers natural expressions for various donation scenarios.
Expressing a contribution of money or goods to a cause, charity, or institution.
The most common and general term for donation. Can be used for money, goods, or services. Often used with する to mean 'to donate'.
彼は毎年、慈善団体に寄付をしている。
He makes a donation to a charity every year.
古着を寄付しました。
I donated old clothes.
Often used for donating physical items, especially to institutions like museums, libraries, or schools. More formal than 寄付.
彼は自分の蔵書を大学に寄贈した。
He donated his book collection to the university.
Colloquial term for a monetary collection or donation drive, often among a group. Derived from 'campaign'. Used in casual settings like office collections.
同僚の結婚祝いにカンパを集めた。
We collected donations for a colleague's wedding gift.
Specifically referring to collecting or contributing money, often for disaster relief or public causes.
Refers to fundraising or a monetary donation, often for a specific cause like disaster relief. Can be used for both the act of collecting and the money itself.
赤十字に募金を送った。
I sent a donation to the Red Cross.
街頭で募金活動をしている。
They are conducting a fundraising campaign on the street.
Specifically relief money or monetary aid for disaster victims. Often used in the context of natural disasters.
Donated money; emphasizes the monetary aspect of a donation. Often used in formal or accounting contexts.
Donating blood, organs, or body parts for medical purposes.
Blood donation. The standard term used by the Red Cross and in everyday conversation.
初めて献血をしました。
I donated blood for the first time.
献血ルームは駅の近くにあります。
The blood donation room is near the station.
Bone marrow donation. Specific to bone marrow transplants.
骨髄提供のドナー登録をしました。
I registered as a bone marrow donor.
Making a small monetary offering at a religious site.
Money offered at a shrine or temple. Not a 'donation' in the charitable sense, but a religious offering.
神社で賽銭を入れてお参りした。
I threw a coin into the offering box and prayed at the shrine.
Polite phrase for making an offering. あげる is used from the perspective of the giver to the deity.
お賽銭をあげて願い事をした。
I made an offering and made a wish.
寄付 is the broadest term for any donation. 募金 specifically refers to fundraising or collected money, often for a public cause. 義援金 is relief money for disaster victims. Use 寄付 for general donations, 募金 when emphasizing the fundraising aspect, and 義援金 for disaster relief.
For blood donation, always use 献血. For organs, use 臓器提供. Using 寄付 in these contexts sounds unnatural and may cause confusion.
ご厚志に感謝いたします。
Thank you for your generous donation.
Formal expression of gratitude for a donation. ご厚志 is a respectful term for a kind offering.
地震の被災地に義援金を送った。
I sent relief money to the earthquake-stricken area.
Donations are tax-deductible.
Organ donation. Used in medical and legal contexts.
臓器提供の意思表示カードを持っています。
I carry an organ donor card.