Translation guide
The English word "intervention" covers a wide range of situations where someone steps in to change a course of events. Japanese uses different words depending on whether it's a person mediating a dispute, a government intervening in a market, a medical procedure, or a military action. This guide breaks down the main meanings and gives natural Japanese equivalents.
When a person or third party gets involved to stop a conflict, argument, or fight, or to help resolve a problem between people.
Refers to mediation or arbitration, often in a formal or semi-formal sense. Used when a neutral third party helps settle a dispute.
彼は二人の喧嘩に仲裁に入った。
He intervened in the fight between the two.
Literally "to go between." A natural, everyday way to say you stepped in to mediate or calm a situation.
友達が喧嘩していたので、間に入った。
My friends were fighting, so I intervened.
A more formal word for intervention, often implying an active, sometimes unwelcome, stepping in. Can be used for personal disputes but sounds a bit stiff.
上司が部下の口論に介入した。
The boss intervened in the argument between subordinates.
When a government, central bank, or organization takes action to influence a situation, especially in economics, policy, or markets.
The standard term for government or institutional intervention, especially in economic contexts like currency markets.
政府は為替市場に介入した。
The government intervened in the foreign exchange market.
Often translated as "interference" and can have a negative nuance. Used when an outside entity meddles in affairs, like political intervention.
A medical action taken to treat a condition, such as surgery, therapy, or a specific treatment.
General term for medical treatment. Often used when "intervention" means any therapeutic action.
早期の治療が必要だ。
Early intervention is necessary.
Direct translation of "medical intervention," used in formal or technical contexts.
緊急の医療介入が行われた。
Emergency medical intervention was performed.
Specifically means surgical operation. Use only when the intervention is a surgery.
When armed forces are deployed to intervene in a conflict or crisis.
Standard term for military intervention.
国連は軍事介入を承認した。
The UN approved military intervention.
Can be used alone when context makes it clear it's military, but often paired with 軍事.
An organized attempt to confront someone about a serious personal problem, like addiction, and persuade them to get help.
Borrowed concept; often called an "intervention meeting" in Japanese. Used in addiction contexts.
家族は彼のために介入ミーティングを開いた。
The family held an intervention for him.
Descriptive phrase meaning "to discuss with a specialist present." Used when the concept of an intervention is not culturally common.
依存症の問題について、専門家を交えて話し合った。
We discussed the addiction problem with a specialist present, as an intervention.
介入 (kainyū) is a neutral or formal term for stepping in, often used for governments or institutions. 干渉 (kanshō) implies meddling or interference, often negative. 仲裁 (chūsai) is specifically mediation between parties in a dispute.
In casual conversation, saying 「介入する」 can sound overly formal or aggressive. Often a simpler phrase like 「間に入る」 or 「助ける」 is more natural.
他国の内政に干渉すべきではない。
We should not intervene in the internal affairs of other countries.
Surgery was chosen as the surgical intervention.
外国の介入が内戦を長引かせた。
Foreign intervention prolonged the civil war.