Translation guide
The English word 'manager' covers a wide range of roles. In Japanese, the best translation depends on the context: a corporate manager, a store manager, a sports team manager, or someone who manages tasks. This guide helps you choose the right word.
A person who manages a team, department, or section in a company.
Department manager or division head. Common in traditional Japanese companies. Often used for someone who manages a 部 (department).
彼は営業部長です。
He is the sales department manager.
Section manager or chief. Typically a lower rank than 部長, managing a 課 (section). Very common in Japanese corporate hierarchy.
課長に昇進しました。
I was promoted to section manager.
Loanword from English. Used in modern or foreign-affiliated companies, or for roles like project manager. Less tied to traditional hierarchy.
プロジェクトマネージャーを探しています。
We are looking for a project manager.
Managerial position (generic term). Refers to the role or status of being a manager, not a specific title.
彼は管理職に就いています。
He holds a managerial position.
A person who manages a retail store, restaurant, hotel, or similar establishment.
Store manager or shop manager. The most common term for the person in charge of a retail store or restaurant.
店長はいらっしゃいますか？
Is the store manager here?
Manager of a hotel, inn, or larger establishment. More formal than 店長.
Also used for store or restaurant managers, especially in casual or Western-style businesses.
A person who manages a sports team, handling logistics, equipment, or player support (not the coach).
Commonly used for a team manager in sports clubs, especially in school or amateur settings. Often a student role.
彼女は野球部のマネージャーです。
She is the manager of the baseball club.
Usually means coach or director, but can sometimes be translated as 'manager' in sports contexts (e.g., in soccer). Use with caution; it implies more authority over tactics.
In most sports, 監督 is the head coach, not the equipment/logistics manager. Use マネージャー for the support role.
A person who manages the career of an artist, musician, actor, etc.
Standard term for a personal manager in the entertainment industry.
彼は有名な歌手のマネージャーです。
He is the manager of a famous singer.
A person responsible for organizing or overseeing tasks, not necessarily a formal title.
Person in charge. Often used when someone is responsible for a specific task or project, without a managerial title.
このプロジェクトの担当者は誰ですか？
Who is the manager of this project?
Person responsible. Similar to 担当者 but emphasizes accountability.
A tool or program that manages resources, files, or settings.
Management tool. Used for software that manages something (e.g., file manager, task manager).
ファイル管理ツールを使ってください。
Please use the file manager.
Often used in software names (e.g., タスクマネージャー for Task Manager).
Do not assume 'manager' always translates to マネージャー. In traditional Japanese companies, specific titles like 部長 or 課長 are expected. Using マネージャー in a conservative environment may sound out of place.
部長 (department manager) is higher than 課長 (section manager). マネージャー is a flexible loanword that can refer to various managerial roles but lacks the hierarchical precision of the native terms.
If you need to address or refer to someone's manager, it's polite to ask for their specific title (e.g., 部長, 課長, 店長) rather than guessing.
ホテルの支配人に会いました。
I met the hotel manager.
カフェのマネージャーをしています。
I work as a cafe manager.
サッカー日本代表の監督
the manager of the Japanese national soccer team
安全の責任者を決めてください。
Please appoint a safety manager.
タスクマネージャーを開いてください。
Please open the Task Manager.