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.
アパートの管理人がゴミ置き場を掃除している。
The apartment caretaker is cleaning the garbage area.
Often used for a school caretaker or janitor who handles maintenance and odd jobs.
学校の用務員が廊下の電球を交換した。
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.
守衛が夜間の見回りをしている。
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.
母は祖母の介護者として毎日世話をしている。
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.
旅行中、隣の人が留守番をしてくれた。
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.
ペットの世話をする人を探しています。
I'm looking for a caretaker for my pet.
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.
The caretaker is looking after the children.