Translation guide
The English word "middleman" refers to an intermediary in business, communication, or transactions. In Japanese, the best translation depends on the context: a commercial intermediary, a go-between for personal matters, or a broker. This guide covers the most natural ways to express these roles.
A person or company that acts as an intermediary in buying and selling goods, often taking a commission.
General term for a commercial intermediary or middleman, often used in business contexts.
彼は不動産の仲介業者として働いている。
He works as a real estate middleman.
Specifically a broker or middleman in commodity markets, like a stockbroker or grain broker.
仲買人が市場で価格を調整する。
The middleman adjusts prices in the market.
Wholesaler; a middleman who buys in bulk and sells to retailers. More specific than general middleman.
卸売業者を通さずに直接販売する。
We sell directly without going through a middleman.
A person who acts as an intermediary in personal matters, such as introductions, negotiations, or matchmaking.
A go-between, especially for marriage arrangements or formal introductions. Can also be used more broadly.
彼女が仲人になって二人を引き合わせた。
She acted as a middleman and introduced the two.
A mediator or intermediary in disputes or negotiations. Slightly formal.
Literally 'bridge-building role'; a person who facilitates connections between people or groups.
彼は部署間の橋渡し役を務めている。
He acts as a middleman between departments.
A person or entity that relays information or facilitates a deal without being the principal party.
The act of intermediation; often used in compound words like 仲介役 (intermediary role) or 仲介する (to mediate).
彼が仲介して契約が成立した。
The contract was concluded through his intermediation.
An intermediary, often in a more abstract or technical sense, like a vector or medium.
To step in as an intermediary; a common verbal phrase meaning to mediate or act as a go-between.
交渉が難航したので、上司が間に入った。
The negotiations stalled, so the boss stepped in as a middleman.
The concept of eliminating intermediaries to deal directly.
To omit the middleman; a direct translation of 'cut out the middleman'.
コスト削減のため、仲介を省いて直接取引する。
To reduce costs, we cut out the middleman and deal directly.
To skip the middleman; more colloquial.
中間業者を飛ばしてメーカーから直接買う。
We buy directly from the manufacturer, skipping the middleman.
仲介 (ちゅうかい) is the general term for intermediation and can be used in business or personal contexts. 仲買 (なかがい) is specifically for commodity brokers. 仲人 (なこうど) is traditionally a matchmaker but can be used for any personal go-between.
The literal translation '中間男' (ちゅうかんおとこ) is not used in Japanese. Always use context-appropriate terms like 仲介者 or 仲買人.
紛争解決のために仲介者が入った。
A middleman stepped in to resolve the dispute.
彼は情報の媒介者として働いている。
He works as a middleman for information.