Translation guide
The English word 'agent' covers several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether they mean a business representative, a spy, a chemical agent, or a grammatical agent.
A person or company authorized to act on behalf of another in business, sales, or legal matters.
General term for a person who acts on behalf of another, especially in legal or formal contexts.
He signed the contract as the company's agent.
Refers to an agency or business that acts as an agent, such as a travel agency or insurance agency.
I booked a flight at a travel agency.
Loanword from English, commonly used in entertainment, sports, or talent agencies. Also used in business contexts.
She is an agent for a famous celebrity.
An intermediary or broker, often used in real estate or business negotiations.
I bought a house through a real estate agent.
A person who secretly collects information for a government or organization.
The most common word for a spy or secret agent.
He was arrested as an enemy agent.
Refers to an operative or agent engaged in covert activities, often political or military.
A formal term for an intelligence agent, used in military or government contexts.
A substance that produces a chemical or biological effect.
General term for a chemical agent, especially in medical, agricultural, or industrial contexts.
This detergent contains a powerful bleaching agent.
Specifically a biological agent that causes disease, such as a virus or bacteria.
The person or thing that performs the action in a sentence.
Linguistic term for the agent in a sentence. Used in grammar explanations.
In the passive voice, the agent is indicated by 'ni yotte'.
While エージェント is understood, it is often more natural to use 代理人 or 代理店 depending on whether you mean a person or an office. Using エージェント for a legal representative may sound overly casual or foreign.
A secret agent had infiltrated.
He worked as an intelligence agent for many years.
Refers to a chemical substance or agent, often in scientific or environmental discussions.
That chemical agent is carcinogenic.
This biological agent is highly contagious.