Translation and Meaning of: 提供 - teikyou

The Japanese word 提供 [ていきょう] is a versatile term frequently used in everyday life, especially in commercial and service contexts. If you have ever wondered about its meaning, origin, or how to use it correctly in sentences, this article will clarify these questions in a straightforward and practical way. Here, we will explore from the precise translation to usage examples, as well as cultural curiosities that make this word so relevant in Japan.

In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, 提供 is defined as "provision" or "offer," but its usage goes beyond the literal meaning. It appears on restaurant menus, service contracts, and even in advertisements, reflecting a reciprocal relationship present in Japanese society. If you study Japanese or have an interest in the language, understanding this word can be useful for both conversations and interpreting texts.

Meaning and use of 提供 in everyday life

The term 提供 is composed of the kanjis 提 (to hold, to present) and 供 (to offer, to provide), combining to convey the idea of "making something available to someone". In everyday life, it is common to see it in situations like "this restaurant offers (提供する) an all-you-can-eat buffet" or "the company provides (提供している) free internet". The word carries a formal tone, being more used in professional contexts than in casual conversations.

An interesting detail is that 提供 often implies a mutual benefit. For example, when a store advertises "サービスを提供します" (we offer services), there is an expectation that the customer will also reciprocate in some way, whether by purchasing or contracting. This nuance reflects Japanese values such as reciprocity and trust in business transactions.

Differences between 提供 and similar words

Although 提供 can be translated as "offer," it should not be confused with terms like プレゼント (present) or 贈り物 (gift, donation). While the latter two have a more personal and selfless character, 提供 is associated with a practical relationship, such as services or products. Another related word, 供給 (supply), is more commonly used for material resources, like energy or water, while 提供 also encompasses intangibles, such as information.

In contracts or official documents, 提供 frequently appears to indicate the obligations of one of the parties. For example, an internet provider might use "通信サービスを提供する" (to provide communication services) to describe its responsibilities. In informal contexts, however, Japanese people tend to prefer simpler verbs like あげる (to give) or くれる (to give to me), avoiding the formality of 提供.

Tips for memorizing and using 提供 correctly

An effective way to solidify the meaning of 提供 is to associate it with situations where there is a clear exchange of benefits. Think of sentences like "The hotel offers free Wi-Fi," where the establishment provides a service in exchange for the customer's preference. This type of example helps to internalize the actual use of the word, going beyond simple translation.

Another tip is to observe the kanji 供, which also appears in words like 供給 (supply) and 提供物 (provided item). This family of terms shares the idea of making resources available, which makes learning through association easier. However, avoid using 提供 in very informal contexts, as it may sound artificial. When in doubt, prefer more colloquial alternatives like サービス (service) or くれる (to give).

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 供給 (Kyōkyū) - Supply, provisioning of something.
• 提案 (Teian) - Proposal, suggestion of something.
• 申し出 (Mōshi de) - Offer or proposal made; suggestion.
• 提出 (Teishutsu) - Presentation, submission of a document or proposal.
• 提供する (Teikyō suru) - Provide, offer something to someone.

提供

Romaji: teikyou
Kana: ていきょう
Type: Noun, Verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: offer; contest; program sponsorship; furniture

Meaning in English: offer;tender;program sponsoring;furnishing

Definition: Prepare and provide goods and services.

Example Sentences - (提供) teikyou

See below some example sentences:

正確な情報を提供してください。

Seikaku na jōhō o teikyō shite kudasai

Please provide accurate information.

Provide accurate information.

• 正確な - adjective meaning "precise, exact"
• 情報 - noun meaning "information"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 提供 - verb meaning "to provide, offer"
• して - verb form that indicates action in progress
• ください - verb meaning "please, favor of"

寝台列車は快適な旅を提供します。

O trem

bed offers comfortable travel

Sleeping trains offer a comfortable ride.

• 寝台列車 - sleeper train
• は - Topic particle
• 快適な - comfortable
• 旅 - trip
• を - direct object particle
• 提供します - to supply

この店屋は美味しいラーメンを提供しています。

Kono ten'ya wa oishii ramen o teikyō shite imasu

This shop offers delicious ramen.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 店屋 - noun that means "store" or "commercial establishment"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "this store"
• 美味しい - adjective that means "delicious" or "tasty"
• ラーメン - noun that means "ramen," a Japanese noodle dish
• を - direct object particle that indicates the object of the sentence, in this case "ramen"
• 提供しています - verb meaning "to provide" or "to offer", conjugated in the present continuous to indicate an action in progress, in this case "is providing"

このホテルは高級な設備とサービスを提供しています。

Kono hoteru wa kōkyūna setsubi to sābisu o teikyō shite imasu

This hotel offers luxury equipment and services.

• このホテル - "this hotel"
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 高級な - "Luxurious" in Japanese, with the suffix "na" indicating an adjective.
• 設備 - "Installations" in Japanese
• と - Particle that indicates "and" in Japanese
• サービス - "Services" in Japanese
• を - Particle that indicates the direct object in Japanese
• 提供しています - "Oferece" in Japanese, with the suffix "teiru" indicating continuous action and the verb "teikyou" meaning "to provide"

上等な品質の製品を提供します。

Joutou na hinshitsu no seihin wo teikyou shimasu

We provide superior quality products.

Provides high quality products.

• 上等な - superior
• 品質 - quality
• の - of
• 製品 - product
• を - direct object
• 提供します - will provide

便宜な価格で提供します。

Beni na kakaku de teikyo shimasu

We offer affordable prices.

We offer at a convenient price.

• 便宜な - adjective meaning "convenient", "favorable", "advantageous".
• 価格 - noun meaning "price".
• で - particle that indicates the means or way in which something is done.
• 提供します - verb meaning "to offer", "to provide", "to make available".

役立つ情報を提供します。

Yakudatsu jōhō o teikyō shimasu

I will provide useful information.

Provides useful information.

• 役立つ - useful, beneficial
• 情報 - information
• を - direct object particle
• 提供 - provide
• します - Verb "to do" in the present

提供することは喜ばしいことです。

Teikyō suru koto wa yorokobashii koto desu

It is gratifying to offer something.

Providing is a pleasure.

• 提供すること - Provide something
• は - Topic particle
• 喜ばしい - Pleasant, enjoyable
• こと - Thing, fact
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

給食は学校で提供される食事です。

Kyūshoku wa gakkō de teikyō sareru shokuji desu

Lunch is a meal provided at school.

• 給食 - Refers to school meals
• は - Topic marking particle
• 学校 - School
• で - Placeholder particle
• 提供される - To be supplied
• 食事 - Meal
• です - Sentence-ending particle

土台は建物の基礎です。

Daidai wa tatemono no kiso desu

The base is the basics of the building.

• 土台 (dodai) - base, foundation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 建物 (tatemono) - building, construction
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 基礎 (kiso) - foundation, base
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay