Translation guide
The system of government by officials, often associated with excessive rules and red tape.
The system of government by departments and officials, often implying inefficiency or excessive rules.
The formal term for the bureaucratic system, neutral in tone.
The frustrating aspect of bureaucracy: too many rules, forms, and delays.
The people who work in the bureaucracy, often seen as a group.
官僚制 (かんりょうせい) is the neutral, academic term for the bureaucratic system. お役所仕事 (おやくしょしごと) is a colloquial, negative term for red tape and inefficiency. Use お役所仕事 when complaining about bureaucracy in daily life.
Directly translating 'bureaucracy' as 官僚制 in casual conversation may sound overly formal or technical. In everyday complaints, お役所仕事 or describing the situation (e.g., 手続きが煩雑) is more natural.
Japan's bureaucracy is complex.
Emphasizes the ideology or excessive adherence to bureaucratic procedures, often negative.
官僚主義が改革を妨げている。
Bureaucracy is hindering reform.
Colloquial term for bureaucratic red tape or officialdom, often with a negative connotation.
お役所仕事で手続きが遅い。
The procedures are slow because of bureaucracy.
Literally 'government office', can imply the bureaucratic system in context.
役所の対応に困っている。
I'm having trouble with the bureaucracy's response.
Most common way to complain about bureaucratic inefficiency.
またお役所仕事か。
More bureaucracy again.
Formal, literary term for excessive red tape and formalities.
繁文縟礼を排し、効率化を図る。
Eliminate bureaucracy and aim for efficiency.
Describes complicated procedures, often due to bureaucracy.
手続きが煩雑で時間がかかる。
The procedures are complicated and time-consuming because of bureaucracy.
Refers to bureaucrats as a class, often used in news or formal contexts.
官僚の抵抗が強い。
There is strong resistance from the bureaucracy.
General term for government officials, can imply bureaucracy collectively.
役人たちは規則に厳しい。
The bureaucracy is strict about rules.