助(たす)け合(あ)い

たすけあい

noun

mutual aid; helping each other

society

1. mutual aid; helping each other; cooperation

The act of people helping one another, especially in difficult times. Emphasizes reciprocity and community spirit.

助(たす)け合(あ)いの精神(せいしん)が大切(たいせつ)だ。

The spirit of mutual aid is important.

災害(さいがい)時(じ)には地域(ちいき)の助(たす)け合(あ)いが必要(ひつよう)だ。

Mutual help in the community is needed during disasters.

隣(となり)近所(きんじょ)の助(たす)け合(あ)いのおかげで、高齢者(こうれいしゃ)も安心(あんしん)して暮(く)らせる。

Thanks to mutual help among neighbors, elderly people can live with peace of mind.

助(たす)け合(あ)い is the noun form of the reciprocal verb 助(たす)け合(あ)う (to help each other). It emphasizes mutual, two-way support.

Common collocations

助(たす)け合(あ)いの精神(せいしん): spirit of mutual aid
助(たす)け合(あ)いの心(こころ): heart of mutual help
地域(ちいき)の助(たす)け合(あ)い: community mutual aid
助(たす)け合(あ)いの関係(かんけい): a relationship of mutual support

Cultural note

A core concept in Japanese community life, especially emphasized during natural disasters. 共助(きょうじょ) (mutual assistance) is a related formal term used in disaster preparedness contexts, distinguishing it from 自助(じじょ) (self-help) and 公助(こうじょ) (public assistance).

Related words

助(たす)け合(あ)う: to help each other (verb)
協力(きょうりょく): cooperation (more general)

Related Words

Related: 助(たす)け合(あ)う (to help each other (verb))

Synonym: 協力(きょうりょく) (cooperation (general))

Compare: 共助(きょうじょ) (mutual assistance)

Compare: 相互扶助(そうごふじょ) (mutual aid)

Compare: 人助(ひとだす)け (helping others)

general

Added 2026.3.15 14:53 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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