Meaning
To lessen the amount of responsibility or hardship.
Cultural Background
In Japanese companies, 'futan' often refers to the mental pressure of not wanting to let the team down. Managers use 'keigen' to show they are looking out for employee mental health. The 'One-Operation Childrearing' (Wan-ope ikuji) is a social issue. Using 'keigen' in this context often refers to fathers or the government stepping in to help mothers. With an aging society, 'futan' is a keyword in medical news. It refers to both the physical strain on caregivers and the financial strain on the national insurance system. The 'futan' of entrance exams (juken) is a major topic. Schools try to 'keigen' this by introducing different types of recommendation-based admissions.
Use in Emails
When asking for a deadline extension, say 'To reduce the burden on the team, I'd like to adjust the schedule.' It sounds more professional than just saying 'I'm busy.'
Don't use for people
You can't 'keigen' a person. You 'keigen' the *burden* that a person has.
Meaning
To lessen the amount of responsibility or hardship.
Use in Emails
When asking for a deadline extension, say 'To reduce the burden on the team, I'd like to adjust the schedule.' It sounds more professional than just saying 'I'm busy.'
Don't use for people
You can't 'keigen' a person. You 'keigen' the *burden* that a person has.
Pair with 'Dounyuu'
A very common business pattern is '[Tool] を{導入|どうにゅう}して、[Task] の{負担|ふたん}を{軽減|けいげん}する'.
Test Yourself
Choose the most natural word to complete the sentence.
{政府|せいふ}は{子育|こそだ}て{世帯|せたい}の{経済|けいざい}的（ ）を{軽減|けいげん}する{方針|ほうしん}だ。
'Economic burden' ({経済|けいざい}的{負担|ふたん}) is a standard collocation.
Fill in the blank with the correct kanji for 'Keigen'.
AIの{導入|どうにゅう}により、{作業|さぎょう}{負担|ふたん}を（ ）する。
The verb is {軽減|けいげん}する.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
When would you use '{負担|ふたん}を{軽減|けいげん}する'?
It is a formal/professional phrase for reducing workload.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {最近|さいきん}、{残業|ざんぎょう}が{多|おお}くて{疲|つか}れました。 B: そうですね。{新|あたら}しい人を（ ）、あなたの{負担|ふたん}を{軽減|けいげん}しましょう。
Hiring ({雇|やと}う) someone is a common way to reduce a workload burden.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises{政府|せいふ}は{子育|こそだ}て{世帯|せたい}の{経済|けいざい}的（ ）を{軽減|けいげん}する{方針|ほうしん}だ。
'Economic burden' ({経済|けいざい}的{負担|ふたん}) is a standard collocation.
AIの{導入|どうにゅう}により、{作業|さぎょう}{負担|ふたん}を（ ）する。
The verb is {軽減|けいげん}する.
When would you use '{負担|ふたん}を{軽減|けいげん}する'?
It is a formal/professional phrase for reducing workload.
A: {最近|さいきん}、{残業|ざんぎょう}が{多|おお}くて{疲|つか}れました。 B: そうですね。{新|あたら}しい人を（ ）、あなたの{負担|ふたん}を{軽減|けいげん}しましょう。
Hiring ({雇|やと}う) someone is a common way to reduce a workload burden.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's also used for financial costs (taxes, fees) and physical/mental health (stress, strain on the body).
It's grammatically correct but sounds a bit childish. 'Futan o herasu' is better for casual speech.
'Keigen' is about reducing the amount of a burden. 'Kanwa' is about easing a restriction or softening a harsh condition.
Yes, especially in sci-fi or serious dramas where characters discuss logistics, energy consumption, or mental stress.
Related Phrases
{負担|ふたん}を{強|し}いる
contrastTo impose a burden on someone.
{肩|かた}の{荷|に}が{下|お}りる
similarTo feel a weight lifted off one's shoulders.
{手|て}を{貸|か}す
builds onTo lend a hand.
{合理|ごうり}化する
specialized formTo streamline or rationalize.
