援

音読おんよみ: エン

訓読くんよみ: たすける

画数かくすう: 12 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 扌(てへん / hand)

Meaning

Assist, support, aid. Often used in contexts of helping, backing up others, or offering protection or cooperation.


  • 援助えんじょ — assistance, aid
  • 応援おうえん — support, cheering
  • 支援しえん — support, backing
  • 救援きゅうえん — rescue, relief

援 is formed from 扌 (hand) and 袁 (phonetic element). The 扌 radical implies physical or metaphorical action using the hands. The character conveys the act of lending a hand—offering help or extending support.

チームを たすけるために 応援おうえんきました。
I went to support the team.

国際支援こくさいしえん必要性ひつようせいたかまっている。
The need for international aid is increasing.

The on-yomi エン is commonly used in compound words like 支援 or 応援. The kun-yomi たすける is more familiar in everyday speech and conversation.

◀︎ Full List ▶︎