Translation guide
A custodian is someone responsible for the care, maintenance, or protection of a place, object, or person. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context: a school janitor, a museum curator, a guardian of a child, or a financial custodian all use different words.
A person employed to clean and maintain a building, especially a school.
The most common and neutral term for a school janitor or custodian. Used in elementary and junior high schools.
I work as a school custodian.
Similar to 用務員, but specifically for school duties. Slightly more formal or official-sounding.
The custodian cleaned the hallway for us.
General term for a cleaner or janitor, not limited to schools. Often used for office buildings or public facilities.
The custodian cleans the office every morning.
Means 'caretaker' or 'manager' of a building. Can imply broader responsibilities than just cleaning, such as maintenance and security. Often used for apartment building superintendents.
The building custodian is cleaning the garbage area.
A person responsible for the care and management of a collection, such as in a museum or library.
The standard term for a museum curator or art gallery curator. Requires a national qualification in Japan.
She is a custodian at the art museum.
Loanword from English 'curator'. Used in modern art contexts or international settings, but 学芸員 is more official.
Literally 'custodian' or 'keeper' in a legal or formal sense. Used for someone entrusted with the safekeeping of valuable items or documents.
A person legally or morally responsible for the care and well-being of another person.
The standard term for a parent or legal guardian of a child. Used in school contexts (e.g., parent-teacher meetings).
Custodian consent is required.
Legal term for a guardian of a minor or an adult ward. More formal and specific to legal guardianship.
A person who takes care of someone, often in a volunteer or community role. Not a legal guardian, but a caretaker.
A financial institution responsible for safeguarding a client's financial assets.
Direct loanword used in finance. Refers to a custodian bank or trust company.
The custodian of the fund is a major bank.
Japanese term meaning 'custodian bank'. Less common than the loanword but still used in formal documents.
Very formal term for an asset custodian institution. Used in legal or regulatory contexts.
The English word 'custodian' covers many roles, but Japanese uses distinct terms for each. Using 管理人 for a school janitor is possible but less precise; using 用務員 for a financial custodian would be incorrect. Always consider the specific context.
He is the school custodian. (Acceptable but 用務員 is more common for a janitor)
用務員 is specifically for schools and implies a broader role (cleaning, minor repairs, security). 清掃員 is a general cleaner and can work anywhere. If you mean a school janitor, 用務員 is the best fit.
The custodian opened the classroom for us. (implies school context)
The custodian of that exhibition is a famous critic.
He was appointed custodian of the important documents.
The court appointed a custodian.
彼は地域の子供たちの世話人だ。
He is a custodian of the local children.
The custodian bank manages the assets.
Fulfill the responsibility as a custodian of assets.
The cleaner is cleaning the restroom. (general, not necessarily a school)