Translation guide
The English word "secretary" covers several distinct roles. In Japanese, the word used depends heavily on the context: a personal assistant, a company department head, a government minister, or a club officer. This guide breaks down the main meanings and their natural Japanese equivalents.
A person employed to handle correspondence, keep records, make appointments, and carry out similar administrative tasks for an individual or office.
The standard term for a personal secretary or administrative assistant, especially to an executive or public figure.
彼女は社長の秘書として働いています。
She works as the president's secretary.
新しい秘書を雇う予定です。
We plan to hire a new secretary.
Refers specifically to a secretary in a government or official capacity, such as a private secretary to a minister.
大臣秘書官が会見の準備をした。
The minister's private secretary prepared for the press conference.
Understanding the distinction prevents over-formality in everyday business settings.
ビジネスでは「秘書」を使い、政府の役職には「秘書官」を使います。
In business, use 'hisho'; for government positions, use 'hishokan'.
A senior executive in a company responsible for legal and regulatory compliance, board administration, and corporate governance.
The direct translation for 'corporate secretary' or 'company secretary', a legally defined role in some jurisdictions.
会社秘書役は取締役会の運営を担当します。
The corporate secretary is responsible for managing the board of directors.
In Japanese companies, the functions of a corporate secretary are often distributed among legal, finance, and administrative departments. Describing the duties may be clearer.
彼は会社の法務・コンプライアンス担当役員です。
He is the officer in charge of legal and compliance for the company.
In the US and some other governments, a secretary is the head of a major executive department (e.g., Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense).
Used for the head of a government agency or department, equivalent to 'secretary' in the US cabinet context.
米国国務長官が来日した。
The US Secretary of State visited Japan.
国防長官は記者会見を開いた。
The Secretary of Defense held a press conference.
Typically used for cabinet ministers in parliamentary systems (e.g., UK). For US secretaries, 長官 is more common, but 大臣 is sometimes used informally.
An officer of a club, society, or organization who handles records, correspondence, and administrative matters.
The standard term for a secretary in a club, student council, or similar organization. Focuses on record-keeping and administrative duties.
彼は生徒会の書記に選ばれた。
He was elected secretary of the student council.
クラブの書記として議事録を作成します。
As the club secretary, I take the minutes.
Often used for a secretary or organizer in a group, especially for events or reunions. Implies more of a coordinating role.
A type of writing desk, often with a hinged front that opens to form a writing surface.
A direct translation, but not commonly used. Most Japanese would describe the piece of furniture by its style.
アンティークの秘書机を買いました。
I bought an antique secretary desk.
Since 'secretary desk' is a specific furniture style, it's often better to use a descriptive term or the English loanword.
折りたたみ式の書き物机を探しています。
I'm looking for a fold-down writing desk.
Do not use 秘書 (hisho) for a US cabinet secretary. 秘書 means a personal assistant, not a department head. Use 長官 (chōkan) instead.
秘書 (hisho) is a personal assistant to an executive. 書記 (shoki) is a record-keeper in an organization. 幹事 (kanji) is an organizer or coordinator, often for events.
秘書に会議の予定を入れてもらってください。
Please ask my secretary to schedule a meeting.
Business context, personal assistant
外務大臣が国連で演説した。
The Foreign Secretary gave a speech at the UN.
I took on the role of secretary for the alumni reunion.