お世話(せわ)

おせわ
noun
care, help, assistance
1. care, looking after, help
Taking care of someone or helping with their needs.
子供(こども)の世話(せわ)をする。
To take care of children.
Without お = more casual
猫(ねこ)の世話(せわ)は毎日(まいにち)大変(たいへん)だ。
Taking care of a cat is a lot of work every day.
母(はは)は祖父(そふ)の世話(せわ)をしながら、仕事(しごと)も続(つづ)けている。
My mother continues working while also taking care of my grandfather.
2. assistance, favor (in set phrases)
Used in polite expressions to acknowledge help received.
いつもお世話(せわ)になっています。
Thank you for always taking care of me.
Very common polite expression
お世話(せわ)になりました。
Thank you for your help.
Said when leaving or concluding
入院(にゅういん)していたとき、看護師(かんごし)さんにお世話(せわ)になった。
The nurses took care of me when I was in the hospital.

お世話(せわ) is the polite form; 世話(せわ) alone is neutral.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • お世話(せわ)になる (receive someone's care/help)
  • お世話(せわ)になっております (business greeting: 'Thank you for your continued support')
  • お世話(せわ)になりました (Thank you for everything)
  • 世話(せわ)をする/をやく (to take care of, to look after)

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 世話(せわ)が焼(や)ける (to be troublesome to deal with)
  • 世話(せわ)がない (be no trouble)
general
Added 2026.1.11 21:25 · Revised 2026.3.24 19:58
02500/02506_osewa