Translation guide
A person or company hired by a main contractor to do part of the work.
A company or individual hired by a general contractor to perform specific work.
The most common term for a subcontractor in business and construction contexts. Can refer to the company or the act of subcontracting.
Explicitly refers to a subcontractor as a business entity or contractor. Slightly more formal than 下請け alone.
下請け業者との契約を結ぶ。
We sign a contract with the subcontractor.
Abbreviation of 'subcontractor', commonly used in construction and IT industries. Casual and business-friendly.
サブコンに発注する。
We place an order with the subcontractor.
A sub-subcontractor, i.e., a company hired by a subcontractor. Literally 'grandchild contractor'.
An individual or small company subcontracted for IT projects or freelance work.
Refers to an outsourcing destination or subcontractor, especially in IT and business process outsourcing. Emphasizes the relationship from the client's perspective.
開発を外注先に依頼する。
We request development from a subcontractor.
下請け implies a hierarchical relationship under a prime contractor, common in construction and manufacturing. 外注先 is broader and focuses on the act of outsourcing, often used in IT and services where the relationship may be more equal.
The direct katakana サブコントラクター is rarely used and sounds unnatural. Use 下請け or サブコン instead.
この工事は下請けに任せた。
We outsourced this construction work to a subcontractor.
下請け会社を探しています。
We are looking for a subcontractor company.
The work was passed down to a sub-subcontractor.
Literally 'cooperating company', often used euphemistically for subcontractors in IT to emphasize partnership rather than hierarchy.
協力会社のエンジニアが常駐している。
Engineers from the subcontractor are stationed here.
A contractor to whom business operations are outsourced. More formal and often used in contracts.
業務委託先を選定する。
We select a subcontractor for business outsourcing.