Translation guide
How to refer to the person responsible for something in Japanese, depending on context and formality.
Referring to the person responsible for a task, section, or event in a neutral or formal setting.
The most common and versatile term for 'person in charge'. Used in business, customer service, and everyday contexts.
I'll call the person in charge.
Who is the person in charge of this matter?
Emphasizes the person with responsibility or accountability, often used for a manager or supervisor.
Please bring out the person in charge (manager).
Used in official titles or signs, e.g., '受付係' (receptionist). Often part of a compound.
Please ask the person in charge of guidance.
Specifying the person handling a particular job or project.
Politely requesting to speak to the person responsible, e.g., in a store or on the phone.
Honorific way to address the person in charge, often used in business emails or when asking for them.
Is the person in charge available?
Instead of directly saying 'person in charge', you can politely request the action. E.g., 'すみません、この件についてお聞きしたいのですが。'
Talking casually about who is responsible for something among friends or colleagues.
Direct translations like '担当の人' are fine, but '責任がある人' sounds unnatural. Stick to 担当者 or 責任者 depending on nuance.
担当者 is the person handling the task; 責任者 is the person with ultimate responsibility (often a manager). Use 担当者 for day-to-day contacts, 責任者 when escalating issues.
Who is in charge of setting up the venue?
Excuse me, I'd like to return this. Who should I talk to?
Who's in charge of tomorrow's prep?