Translation guide
The English phrase "act as a go-between" refers to mediating between two or more parties, often to facilitate communication, negotiation, or a relationship. In Japanese, the most natural expressions depend on the context: whether it's a formal business mediation, a personal introduction, or a neutral intermediary role.
To act as a neutral third party facilitating communication or transactions between two sides.
A general term for mediating or acting as an intermediary, used in business, legal, and everyday contexts.
彼は両社の間で仲介した。
He acted as a go-between for the two companies.
Literally 'to build a bridge', this phrase emphasizes connecting two parties or groups. Common in business and personal contexts.
彼女が両者の橋渡しをしてくれた。
She acted as a go-between for the two parties.
To mediate or act as an intermediary, often with a nuance of smoothing relations or facilitating introductions. Slightly formal.
彼が二人の仲を取り持った。
He acted as a go-between for the two of them.
To use one's influence to mediate or put in a good word. Often implies a favor or pulling strings. Can be negative if overstepping.
Can imply using personal connections or influence, which may be seen as favoritism in some contexts.
彼の口利きで商談がまとまった。
Thanks to his mediation, the business deal was settled.
To act as a go-between in the context of arranged marriages or formal introductions for romantic purposes.
Specifically refers to the role of a matchmaker in traditional arranged marriages (omiai). The nakōdo introduces the couple and often mediates throughout the process.
彼女が二人の仲人をしてくれた。
She acted as a go-between for the two of them (in a matchmaking context).
A very formal term for matchmaking, often used in wedding contexts. The 'bai' means mediator and 'shaku' means to pour sake, referring to the traditional role.
彼が媒酌人として尽力した。
He made efforts as a go-between (matchmaker).
To act as a go-between in casual or personal situations, such as among friends or acquaintances.
Literally 'to enter between', this is a very common and natural way to say you mediated or intervened in a situation, especially to resolve a conflict or facilitate communication.
喧嘩している二人の間に入って話を聞いた。
I stepped in as a go-between for the two who were fighting and listened to them.
Literally 'to become a pipe role', meaning to serve as a conduit or liaison. Often used in business or organizational contexts.
彼は部署間のパイプ役になっている。
He acts as a go-between for the departments.
To act as a go-between specifically by passing messages or information between parties who cannot or will not communicate directly.
A person who acts as a messenger, conveying verbal messages. Often used when direct communication is inconvenient.
彼に伝言役を頼んだ。
I asked him to act as a go-between (to pass on a message).
To pass on a message or connect someone, often used for phone calls or visitors. Can also mean to act as an intermediary in communication.
電話を取り次いでください。
Please act as a go-between (connect me) on the phone.
仲介 (chuukai) is a general term for mediation in business or legal matters. 仲人 (nakoudo) is specifically for matchmaking in romantic contexts. Using 仲介 for matchmaking would sound odd, and using 仲人 for business mediation would be incorrect.
The English phrase 'act as a go-between' is often translated literally as 仲介者として行動する, but this is unnatural in Japanese. Instead, use the specific verbs or phrases listed above depending on the context.