Translation guide
The English word 'caretaker' covers several distinct roles: a person who looks after a building or property, a person who provides care for someone (like a child or elderly person), and sometimes a temporary guardian. Japanese uses different words depending on the context.
A person employed to look after a building, grounds, or property, handling maintenance, security, and cleaning.
General term for a caretaker or manager of a building, apartment, or facility. Commonly used for apartment building superintendents.
The apartment caretaker is cleaning the garbage area.
Often used for a school caretaker or janitor who handles maintenance and odd jobs.
The school caretaker replaced the light bulb in the hallway.
Refers to a security guard or gatekeeper, sometimes translated as caretaker for buildings with a security focus.
The caretaker is patrolling at night.
A person who takes care of someone, such as a child, elderly person, or person with a disability, often in a home setting.
Standard term for a caregiver, especially for the elderly or disabled. Used in formal and medical contexts.
My mother acts as a caretaker for my grandmother, looking after her every day.
A person who looks after someone, often in a more informal or community-based setting. Can imply a helper or attendant.
Specifically a childcare worker or nursery teacher. Only for professional child caretakers.
A person temporarily responsible for someone or something, like a house sitter or pet sitter.
Literally 'absence guard', used for someone who stays behind to look after a house or place while others are away. Often used for house-sitting.
While we were traveling, the neighbor acted as a caretaker for our house.
A generic phrase meaning 'person who takes care of'. Can be used for temporary caretakers of pets, plants, etc.
管理人 is for property/building caretakers, while 介護者 is for personal caregivers. Do not confuse them. Using 管理人 for a person who cares for the elderly would be incorrect.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'caretaker'. Always choose the word based on the specific role. Using ケアテイカー (keateikā) is not natural Japanese.
彼は地域の高齢者の世話人をしている。
He works as a caretaker for the elderly in the community.
保育士が子供たちの面倒を見ている。
The caretaker is looking after the children.
I'm looking for a caretaker for my pet.