Translation guide
Describes a situation where someone is always ready to obey another person's orders or wishes, often implying a lack of autonomy.
The person is constantly available to do whatever someone else asks, often in a servile or demanding context.
Literally 'become as one is told'. This is a very common way to express that someone does whatever another person says, often with a negative connotation of being controlled.
彼は妻の言いなりになっている。
He is at his wife's beck and call.
A person whose job or role is to be constantly available to serve someone, like a butler or personal assistant.
There is no direct Japanese equivalent for 'at one's beck and call'. Translating it word-for-word would result in unnatural Japanese. Instead, use phrases that describe the relationship or action, such as 言いなりになる or あごで使う.
Literally 'use with one's chin'. This phrase describes the action of bossing someone around arrogantly, treating them as if they are at one's beck and call. It is often used from the perspective of the person giving orders.
彼は部下をあごで使っている。
He has his subordinates at his beck and call.
Slang for being treated as an errand boy/girl, someone who is constantly sent on trivial tasks. Implies being at someone's beck and call in a demeaning way.
先輩にパシリにされて、いつも買い物に行かされる。
I'm at my senior's beck and call, always being sent on errands.
A servant or domestic worker. This word directly conveys the idea of someone who is at the master's beck and call.
彼は金持ちの家の召し使いとして、いつでも呼び出しに応じなければならない。
As a servant in a rich household, he must be at their beck and call at all times.
An attendant or personal aide, often used for someone who accompanies a VIP. Implies being at that person's beck and call.
社長のお付きとして、彼は四六時中そばにいなければならない。
As the president's attendant, he has to be at his beck and call around the clock.