お世話をする
take care of
직역: to do the honorable care
Use this phrase when actively looking after the daily needs of someone or something requiring your help.
15초 만에
- Used for looking after pets, children, or plants.
- Follows the pattern [Noun] + no + osewa o suru.
- Implies active, responsible caretaking in daily life.
뜻
This phrase means to look after or attend to the needs of someone or something that requires help, like a pet, a child, or a plant.
주요 예문
3 / 6Talking about a new pet
Mainichi, inu no osewa o shimasu.
I take care of the dog every day.
Babysitting for a neighbor
Ashita wa tonari no akachan no osewa o suru yotei desu.
I plan to take care of the neighbor's baby tomorrow.
Helping an elderly relative
Ojiichan no osewa o tetsudatte imasu.
I am helping take care of my grandfather.
문화적 배경
The word 'sewa' originally referred to 'busy-ness' or 'worldly affairs.' Over time, it evolved into the concept of providing necessary care and assistance, deeply tied to the Japanese value of 'Giri' (social obligation) and community support.
The 'O' is optional but standard
While 'sewa o suru' is technically correct, almost everyone adds the 'o' to make it 'osewa'. It sounds much more natural and warm.
Don't 'Osewa' your boss
If you tell your boss you will 'osewa' them, you're implying they are helpless. Use 'sapooto suru' (to support) instead to keep your job!
15초 만에
- Used for looking after pets, children, or plants.
- Follows the pattern [Noun] + no + osewa o suru.
- Implies active, responsible caretaking in daily life.
What It Means
Imagine you have a tiny kitten. It needs food, water, and lots of love. When you provide those things, you are doing osewa. It is the act of looking after someone who relies on you. It is not just "watching" them. It is active participation in their well-being. It implies a sense of responsibility and kindness.
How To Use It
The grammar is super simple. Just take the person or thing you are helping. Add the particle no. Then drop in osewa o suru. For example, neko no osewa o suru means "taking care of the cat." You can change suru to shimasu to be more polite. If you are talking about yourself, it sounds very responsible.
When To Use It
Use this when you are the one in charge of daily needs. It is perfect for babysitting your niece. It is great for talking about your weekend gardening. You can even use it for a messy roommate who cannot cook! If someone needs a helping hand to get through the day, this is your phrase. It works well in casual chats and polite work settings.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for professional medical treatment. A surgeon does not just do osewa; they perform surgery. Also, avoid using it for your boss or a superior. It might sound like you think they are a helpless baby! That would be a very awkward Monday morning meeting. Use more professional terms like supporto or assist in those cases.
Cultural Background
In Japan, being the one who does osewa is a big deal. It shows you are reliable and kind. There is a related phrase, osewa ni naru, which means "to be in someone's care." Japanese people say this constantly to show gratitude. It is all about the balance of giving and receiving help. It is the glue that holds Japanese social circles together.
Common Variations
You will often hear osewa o yaku. This means being a bit of a meddler. It is like "over-caring" for someone, perhaps a bit too much! Then there is osewa-sama, a friendly way to thank someone for their hard work. If you want to be extra polite, use osewa o itashimasu. This shows you are ready to serve with high respect.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is generally neutral and safe for daily use. Ensure you use the particle 'no' to connect the object of care to the phrase.
The 'O' is optional but standard
While 'sewa o suru' is technically correct, almost everyone adds the 'o' to make it 'osewa'. It sounds much more natural and warm.
Don't 'Osewa' your boss
If you tell your boss you will 'osewa' them, you're implying they are helpless. Use 'sapooto suru' (to support) instead to keep your job!
The 'Osewa ni naru' connection
When you start a job or meet a neighbor, say 'Osewa ni narimasu'. It means 'I'm in your care now.' It's the ultimate social lubricant in Japan.
예시
6Mainichi, inu no osewa o shimasu.
I take care of the dog every day.
A standard way to describe pet ownership duties.
Ashita wa tonari no akachan no osewa o suru yotei desu.
I plan to take care of the neighbor's baby tomorrow.
Uses 'yotei' to describe a planned caretaking task.
Ojiichan no osewa o tetsudatte imasu.
I am helping take care of my grandfather.
Adding 'tetsudau' (to help) makes it sound like a shared family effort.
Kono hana wa osewa ga kantan desu yo.
Taking care of this flower is easy, you know.
Shows that the phrase applies to non-human things like plants.
O-kyakusama no osewa o itashimasu.
I will attend to the needs of the guest.
Using 'itashimasu' makes the phrase very formal and professional.
Mou, kare no osewa wa taihen da yo!
Geez, taking care of him is such a hassle!
Used humorously to describe a friend who is a handful.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 'Neko ___ osewa o suru.'
Neko ___ osewa o suru.
The particle 'no' is used to link the person/thing being cared for to the noun 'osewa'.
Complete the sentence to say 'I will take care of the baby' politely.
Akachan no osewa o ___.
'Shimasu' is the polite form of 'suru', which completes the collocation 'osewa o suru'.
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시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Osewa o Suru'
Used with friends about pets or plants.
Neko no osewa suru ne!
Standard polite form for daily conversation.
Akachan no osewa o shimasu.
Used in service industry or with superiors.
Osewa o itashimasu.
When to use 'Osewa o Suru'
Pets
Feeding and walking a dog.
Children
Babysitting or parenting.
Plants
Watering the garden.
Elderly
Assisting a grandparent.
Messy Friends
Cleaning up after someone.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not really. For machines, use teire (maintenance). Osewa is usually for living things or people who need help.
They are very similar! Mendo o miru feels a bit more like 'looking after' or 'keeping an eye on' someone, while osewa is more about the physical tasks of care.
Yes, but usually as osewa ni natte orimasu (thank you for your support). Using osewa o suru to mean you are taking care of a client is very formal.
Yes, for the daily care like feeding or helping them move. For medical treatment, use kango (nursing).
Yes, sewa is a noun meaning care or trouble. Adding o makes it polite, and suru turns it into a verb.
You would say osewa o shitaku nai desu or more naturally osewa wa yamete okimasu.
Absolutely. It's very common for siblings to say otouto no osewa o suru.
It is a casual, shortened version of 'gokurousama', used to thank someone for their help or caretaking effort.
It can be! It means they are 'high maintenance' or a handful. Use it carefully or only with close friends.
The 'o' is a beautifier/honorific prefix. In Japanese, words related to social bonds often get this 'o' to show respect for the action.
관련 표현
お世話になる (to be in someone's care)
面倒を見る (to look after/watch over)
介護する (to provide nursing care)
手入れをする (to maintain/upkeep)
世話を焼く (to meddle/over-care)
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