Translation guide
The English word 'manager' covers a wide range of roles. In Japanese, the best translation depends on the context: a corporate manager, a store manager, a sports team manager, or someone who manages tasks. This guide helps you choose the right word.
A person who manages a team, department, or section in a company.
Department manager or division head. Common in traditional Japanese companies. Often used for someone who manages a 部 (department).
He is the sales department manager.
Section manager or chief. Typically a lower rank than 部長, managing a 課 (section). Very common in Japanese corporate hierarchy.
I was promoted to section manager.
Loanword from English. Used in modern or foreign-affiliated companies, or for roles like project manager. Less tied to traditional hierarchy.
We are looking for a project manager.
Managerial position (generic term). Refers to the role or status of being a manager, not a specific title.
He holds a managerial position.
A person who manages a retail store, restaurant, hotel, or similar establishment.
Store manager or shop manager. The most common term for the person in charge of a retail store or restaurant.
Is the store manager here?
Manager of a hotel, inn, or larger establishment. More formal than 店長.
Also used for store or restaurant managers, especially in casual or Western-style businesses.
A person who manages a sports team, handling logistics, equipment, or player support (not the coach).
Commonly used for a team manager in sports clubs, especially in school or amateur settings. Often a student role.
She is the manager of the baseball club.
Usually means coach or director, but can sometimes be translated as 'manager' in sports contexts (e.g., in soccer). Use with caution; it implies more authority over tactics.
In most sports, 監督 is the head coach, not the equipment/logistics manager. Use マネージャー for the support role.
A person who manages the career of an artist, musician, actor, etc.
Standard term for a personal manager in the entertainment industry.
He is the manager of a famous singer.
A person responsible for organizing or overseeing tasks, not necessarily a formal title.
A tool or program that manages resources, files, or settings.
Do not assume 'manager' always translates to マネージャー. In traditional Japanese companies, specific titles like 部長 or 課長 are expected. Using マネージャー in a conservative environment may sound out of place.
部長 (department manager) is higher than 課長 (section manager). マネージャー is a flexible loanword that can refer to various managerial roles but lacks the hierarchical precision of the native terms.
If you need to address or refer to someone's manager, it's polite to ask for their specific title (e.g., 部長, 課長, 店長) rather than guessing.
I met the hotel manager.
I work as a cafe manager.
the manager of the Japanese national soccer team
安全の責任者を決めてください。
Please appoint a safety manager.
Please open the Task Manager.