aid

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 扶 has 7 strokes and the on-reading ふ. 扶助 (ふじょ) and 扶養 (ふよう) concern helping and supporting others.
• Basic usage: 扶助 means assistance in difficulty or mutual aid; 扶養 means supporting the livelihood of dependents such as family members.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Mutual aid and supporting family
  • 住民同士の相互扶助 means mutual aid among residents. 扶助を受けられる仕組み refers to a system through which help is available in difficult times.
  • 両親を扶養している means supporting one's parents. 扶養する家族の人数 refers to the number of family members one supports.