Translation and Meaning of: 支持 - shiji

If you are studying Japanese or have curiosity about the language, you may have come across the word 支持[しじ]. It appears in formal contexts, news, and even daily discussions, but its meaning goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is used in Japanese culture, and tips to memorize it effectively. If you are looking to understand its practical use or want to avoid common mistakes, this guide will help.

Shiji [しじ] is a versatile term, but not as common as words like "arigatou" or "konnichiwa." Even so, it is essential for those who wish to communicate accurately in Japanese, especially in professional or academic settings. Here at Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, you will find details that go beyond the basics. Shall we get started?

Meaning and usage of 支持 [しじ]

支持[しじ] means "support" or "endorsement," both in physical and figurative senses. It can be used to describe support for a person, idea, or even structures that hold something up. For example, in politics, it is common to hear about "支持率" (しじりつ), which indicates the approval rating of a ruler or party.

Unlike words like 応援[おうえん], which carry a more emotional and motivational tone, 支持[しじ] has a more rational and institutional weight. Companies, governments, and organizations use this term to indicate formal support. If you are writing a professional email or reading a document, it is quite likely that you will come across it.

Origin and composition of kanji

The word 支持 is formed by two kanji: 支 (shi), which means "to support" or "to branch out," and 持 (ji), which means "to hold" or "to maintain." Together, they reinforce the idea of support, whether literal or metaphorical. This combination is not random—it follows the common logic in Japanese of uniting characters to create specific nuances.

It is worth noting that 支 alone can appear in words such as 支店[してん] (branch of a company) or 支払い[しはらい] (payment), always with the notion of something that extends or supports. On the other hand, 持 is found in terms like 持続[じぞく] (continuity) and 所持[しょじ] (possession). Understanding these radicals helps to memorize the meaning of 支持 more easily.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to memorize 支持[しじ] is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of phrases like "The party has high public support" (その党は高い支持率を持っている) or "We need everyone's support" (皆さんの支持が必要です). Contextualizing the term this way prevents it from becoming just another entry in your vocabulary notebook.

Another tip is to pay attention to false cognates. Although "suporte" in English ("support") has a similar meaning, do not assume that the grammatical structures are identical. In Japanese, 支持 is more often used as a noun or verb (支持する), but rarely appears alone in casual conversations. Its use is more common in written texts or formal speeches.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 応援 (ōen) - Support, cheering
• 援助 (enjo) - Assistance, financial or material help
• 協力 (kyōryoku) - Cooperation, teamwork
• 助ける (tasukeru) - Help, save, rescue
• 支える (sasaeru) - Support, sustain, physically or emotionally support

支持

Romaji: shiji
Kana: しじ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: support; maintenance

Meaning in English: support;maintenance

Definition: Asserting the words, actions, and thoughts of others.

Example Sentences - (支持) shiji

See below some example sentences:

私は民主党の支持者です。

Watashi wa Minshutō no shijisha desu

I am a supporter of the Democratic Party.

I am a Democratic defender.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 民主党 (minshutou) - "Democratic Party"
• の (no) - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 支持者 (shijisha) - It means "supporter" or "sympathizer" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the existence or identity of something or someone