1.
assistant, helper
A person who helps another, especially in professional or academic contexts.
助手 refers to someone who assists another person in their work.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 研究助手 (research assistant)
- 教授の助手 (professor's assistant)
- 助手席 (passenger seat - literally "assistant's seat")
USAGE NOTE:
助手席 (passenger seat) comes from the idea that the front passenger could assist the driver. This term is commonly used in everyday Japanese.
SIMILAR WORDS: