Translation guide
A doorman is a person stationed at the entrance of a building, typically a hotel, apartment, or club, who greets people, opens doors, and provides assistance. In Japanese, the role is often expressed with specific job titles or descriptive phrases, and the exact term depends on the context and type of establishment.
A uniformed employee at a hotel entrance who greets guests, opens doors, handles luggage, and calls taxis.
The most common and direct loanword for 'doorman' in a hotel context. Widely understood.
ホテルのドアマンがタクシーを呼んでくれた。
The hotel doorman called a taxi for me.
Literally 'entrance guard/attendant'. A more traditional Japanese term, though less common in modern hotels.
その旅館では玄関番が客を出迎える。
At that traditional inn, the entrance attendant greets the guests.
A staff member in a residential building who manages the entrance, receives visitors, handles deliveries, and provides security.
Commonly used for a concierge in high-end apartments, who may perform doorman duties. More service-oriented than security-focused.
マンションのコンシェルジュが荷物を受け取ってくれた。
The apartment concierge received the package for me.
General term for a building manager or caretaker. May include doorman-like duties in smaller buildings, but not exclusively an entrance attendant.
Literally 'reception person'. A generic way to refer to someone at the front desk or entrance, but not a specific job title.
受付の人がドアを開けてくれた。
The person at reception opened the door for me.
A person at the entrance of a club or bar who controls entry, checks IDs, and may enforce rules.
Also used for club doormen, though the role may include security. Context clarifies the function.
クラブのドアマンにIDを見せた。
I showed my ID to the club doorman.
Literally 'gatekeeper'. Can be used for a bouncer or doorman at a club, though it sounds a bit old-fashioned or humorous.
Any person stationed at a door to greet or assist, not tied to a specific industry.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the person at the door'. Useful when no specific job title is known.
ドアのところにいる人に道を聞いた。
I asked the person at the door for directions.
Means 'guide' or 'usher'. Could be used for a doorman who directs people, but it's not a standard term for doorman.
案内係が入口で待っていた。
The usher was waiting at the entrance.
ドアマン is specifically the person at the door, while コンシェルジュ is a broader service role that may include doorman duties but also handles reservations, information, and other requests. In luxury apartments, コンシェルジュ is more common.
ドアマンはドアを開けるのが仕事だが、コンシェルジュはレストランの予約もしてくれる。
A doorman's job is to open doors, but a concierge will also make restaurant reservations.
If the primary role is security rather than hospitality, use 警備員 (けいびいん) or ガードマン instead. ドアマン implies a service-oriented role.
管理人が玄関にいて、訪問者をチェックしている。
The building manager is at the entrance, checking visitors.
あの店の門番は厳しい。
The bouncer at that place is strict.
Means 'bodyguard' or 'bouncer'. Emphasizes the security aspect rather than the welcoming role.
用心棒が入り口に立っている。
A bouncer is standing at the entrance.