Translation guide
To be involved in or partly responsible for something, often with a sense of contribution or influence.
Expressing that someone is involved in an activity, event, or outcome, often contributing to it.
A general and natural way to say someone is involved in something. Can be used for both positive and negative involvement.
彼はそのプロジェクトに関わっている。
He has a hand in that project.
Emphasizing that someone's actions contributed to a result or success.
Directly expresses contribution to a positive outcome. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
彼女は会社の成長に貢献している。
She has a hand in the company's growth.
Indicating that someone shares blame or responsibility for a negative outcome.
A formal way to say someone bears part of the responsibility. Often used in serious contexts.
彼にもこの失敗の責任の一端がある。
He also has a hand in this failure.
関わる (kakawaru) is the most general term for involvement. 関与する (kan'yo suru) is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. 貢献する (kōken suru) specifically means to contribute positively. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
彼は地域活動に関わっている。
He is involved in community activities.
彼はその不正に関与したとされている。
He is said to have been involved in the fraud.
An idiomatic expression meaning to have a hand in something, often implying a behind-the-scenes role or partial involvement. Slightly colloquial.
彼もこの計画に一枚噛んでいるらしい。
It seems he also has a hand in this plan.
A more formal term for involvement, often used in official or serious contexts.
彼はその事件に関与していると疑われている。
He is suspected of having a hand in the incident.
Implies complicity or taking part in something negative, like a crime or wrongdoing.
彼は不正に加担していた。
He had a hand in the fraud.
An idiomatic phrase meaning to play a part or lend a hand in achieving something. Often used for positive contributions.
彼の努力が成功に一役買った。
His efforts had a hand in the success.
Literally 'lending a hand', this phrase is used when someone helps out or assists in a task.
彼は引っ越しに手を貸してくれた。
He had a hand in the move (by helping).
Means 'to be a contributing factor'. Neutral in tone but often used for negative outcomes.
彼の怠慢が事故の一因となった。
His negligence had a hand in the accident.
She contributed to the advancement of science.
The English phrase 'have a hand in' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Expressions like 手を持っている (te o motte iru) are nonsensical. Use the idiomatic phrases provided instead.
She contributed to the advancement of science.
The English phrase 'have a hand in' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Expressions like 手を持っている (te o motte iru) are nonsensical. Use the idiomatic phrases provided instead.