Translation guide
The English word 'liaison' can refer to a person who acts as a link between groups, the communication or coordination itself, or a romantic affair. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a person whose role is to facilitate communication and cooperation between different organizations, departments, or teams.
He is the liaison with the head office.
Please appoint a liaison.
A loanword from English, often used in professional or technical contexts, such as IT, medicine, or international business. It can sound slightly more formal or specialized.
I work as a liaison engineer.
Literally 'bridge-building role', this is a more figurative and slightly informal way to describe someone who connects two groups. It emphasizes the bridging function.
She serves as a liaison between departments.
Means 'mediator' or 'intermediary'. It can be used for a liaison, but often implies resolving conflicts or facilitating negotiations, not just passing information.
A liaison between labor and management is needed.
Referring to the act or process of maintaining contact and exchanging information between organizations or individuals.
The most common word for 'contact' or 'communication'. Used broadly for keeping in touch, reporting, and coordinating.
We are in close liaison with the police.
Means 'cooperation' or 'coordination'. It implies working together closely, often between organizations or departments, and is common in business and government.
As a noun for the activity, it is less common than 連絡 but used in specific fields like medicine (e.g., liaison psychiatry) or IT.
Referring to a secret or illicit romantic relationship.
The standard word for a love affair, often implying secrecy or an extramarital relationship. It is neutral in tone but can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
He had a liaison with his secretary.
Specifically refers to an extramarital affair or adultery. It carries a stronger moral judgment and is commonly used in news and everyday conversation.
Means 'cheating' or 'infidelity'. It is more casual than 不倫 and can refer to a fling or a one-time affair, not necessarily a long-term relationship.
Means 'secret meeting' or 'clandestine meeting'. It focuses on the act of meeting secretly rather than the relationship itself, and can be used for romantic or non-romantic contexts.
連絡係 is the everyday word for a liaison person. リエゾン is a loanword used in specialized fields like IT, medicine, or international business. Using リエゾン in a casual office setting might sound overly technical or pretentious.
Let's decide on a liaison.
He is a specialist in liaison psychiatry.
The loanword リエゾン is not used for romantic or sexual affairs in Japanese. Use 情事, 不倫, or 浮気 instead.
Please maintain close liaison.
両社の連携が成功の鍵だ。
Liaison between the two companies is key to success.
Literally 'information exchange'. It can be used when the liaison primarily involves sharing information.
We conduct regular liaison (information exchange).
リエゾン活動を強化する。
Strengthen liaison activities.
不倫関係が発覚した。
Their liaison was exposed.
彼の浮気が原因で別れた。
They broke up because of his liaison.
二人は深夜に密会した。
They had a late-night liaison.