Translation guide
The act of overseeing people, work, or processes to ensure safety, quality, or compliance. Japanese distinguishes between general oversight, professional supervision (e.g., clinical, academic), and legal guardianship.
To watch over and direct work, activities, or people to ensure they are done correctly and safely.
The most common and versatile term for supervision in work, sports, film, etc. Implies authority and responsibility.
工事現場では監督が常に安全を確認している。
At the construction site, a supervisor is constantly checking safety.
彼は映画の監督として有名だ。
He is famous as a film director.
Focuses on management and administration, often used for systems, facilities, or data rather than direct people supervision.
データの管理は厳重に行われている。
Data management is strictly carried out.
Implies monitoring or surveillance, often with a nuance of watching for problems or rule-breaking. Can feel more passive or security-oriented.
防犯カメラで店内を監視している。
We are monitoring the store interior with security cameras.
Means guidance or coaching. Used when supervision includes teaching or mentoring, such as in education or sports.
新人の指導は先輩が行う。
Senior staff provide guidance to new employees.
Oversight by a qualified professional, such as in healthcare, social work, or academia, often involving mentoring and quality assurance.
Loanword used specifically in professional contexts like social work, counseling, or clinical training. Implies a structured supervisory relationship.
ソーシャルワーカーは定期的にスーパービジョンを受ける。
Social workers receive regular supervision.
A compound meaning guidance and supervision, often used in official or regulatory contexts, such as government oversight of industries.
厚生労働省は介護施設の指導監督を行う。
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare provides guidance and supervision to care facilities.
The legal responsibility for a child or an adult who cannot care for themselves, often involving decision-making authority.
Legal guardianship for minors or adults under guardianship. Used in formal legal contexts.
成年後見制度は認知症の高齢者を支援する。
The adult guardianship system supports elderly people with dementia.
Parental authority or custody over a child. Often used in divorce or family law contexts.
Watching over children to ensure their safety and well-being, such as by parents, teachers, or caregivers.
Warm, protective watching over someone, often used for children, elderly, or community safety. Less authoritative than 監督.
子どもたちが公園で遊ぶのを見守る。
I watch over the children playing in the park.
Can also be used for supervising children, but sounds more formal or strict, like a teacher supervising an exam.
試験中は教師が監督する。
Teachers supervise during exams.
監督 implies active direction and responsibility for people or projects. 管理 is about administration and maintenance of systems or resources. 監視 is monitoring or surveillance, often for security or compliance, and can carry a negative nuance of being watched.
Directly translating 'supervision' as 監督 may sound too strong or formal in casual contexts like watching kids. Use 見守り for warm, protective watching.
離婚後、親権は母親に与えられた。
After the divorce, custody was granted to the mother.