Translation guide
A custodian is someone responsible for the care, maintenance, or protection of a place, object, or person. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context: a school janitor, a museum curator, a guardian of a child, or a financial custodian all use different words.
A person employed to clean and maintain a building, especially a school.
The most common and neutral term for a school janitor or custodian. Used in elementary and junior high schools.
学校の用務員として働いています。
I work as a school custodian.
Similar to 用務員, but specifically for school duties. Slightly more formal or official-sounding.
校務員さんが廊下を掃除してくれた。
The custodian cleaned the hallway for us.
General term for a cleaner or janitor, not limited to schools. Often used for office buildings or public facilities.
清掃員が毎朝オフィスをきれいにします。
The custodian cleans the office every morning.
Means 'caretaker' or 'manager' of a building. Can imply broader responsibilities than just cleaning, such as maintenance and security. Often used for apartment building superintendents.
アパートの管理人がゴミ置き場を掃除している。
The building custodian is cleaning the garbage area.
A person responsible for the care and management of a collection, such as in a museum or library.
The standard term for a museum curator or art gallery curator. Requires a national qualification in Japan.
彼女は美術館の学芸員です。
She is a custodian at the art museum.
Loanword from English 'curator'. Used in modern art contexts or international settings, but 学芸員 is more official.
Literally 'custodian' or 'keeper' in a legal or formal sense. Used for someone entrusted with the safekeeping of valuable items or documents.
彼は重要書類の保管者に任命された。
He was appointed custodian of the important documents.
A person legally or morally responsible for the care and well-being of another person.
The standard term for a parent or legal guardian of a child. Used in school contexts (e.g., parent-teacher meetings).
保護者の同意が必要です。
Custodian consent is required.
A person who takes care of someone, often in a volunteer or community role. Not a legal guardian, but a caretaker.
A financial institution responsible for safeguarding a client's financial assets.
Direct loanword used in finance. Refers to a custodian bank or trust company.
そのファンドのカストディアンは大手銀行です。
The custodian of the fund is a major bank.
Japanese term meaning 'custodian bank'. Less common than the loanword but still used in formal documents.
保管銀行が資産を管理しています。
The custodian bank manages the assets.
Very formal term for an asset custodian institution. Used in legal or regulatory contexts.
資産保管機関としての責任を果たす。
Fulfill the responsibility as a custodian of assets.
The English word 'custodian' covers many roles, but Japanese uses distinct terms for each. Using 管理人 for a school janitor is possible but less precise; using 用務員 for a financial custodian would be incorrect. Always consider the specific context.
彼は学校の管理人です。
He is the school custodian. (Acceptable but 用務員 is more common for a janitor)
用務員 is specifically for schools and implies a broader role (cleaning, minor repairs, security). 清掃員 is a general cleaner and can work anywhere. If you mean a school janitor, 用務員 is the best fit.
用務員さんが教室の鍵を開けてくれた。
The custodian opened the classroom for us. (implies school context)
清掃員がトイレを掃除している。
The cleaner is cleaning the restroom. (general, not necessarily a school)
その展覧会のキュレーターは有名な批評家だ。
The custodian of that exhibition is a famous critic.
Legal term for a guardian of a minor or an adult ward. More formal and specific to legal guardianship.
裁判所が後見人を選任した。
The court appointed a custodian.
彼は地域の子供たちの世話人だ。
He is a custodian of the local children.