rescue

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 救 has 11 strokes and the on-reading きゅう. 救う (すくう) means to save or help; 救助 (きゅうじょ) concerns rescue from danger.
• Basic usage: 救う is used for saving a dog and helping a poor village. 救助 occurs in rescues involving climbers or the sea.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Rescuing and being rescued
  • The past form of 救う is 救った. 犬を船で救った means rescuing a dog using a boat; 村を救う方法 means a way to help the village.
  • 登山者が無事に救助された means that the climber was rescued safely. In the passive 救助された, the climber receives the help.