Translation guide
This English phrase describes someone who is forced or expected to run errands or perform tasks for another person. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific nouns and verbs that emphasize being used, ordered around, or treated like a servant.
To describe someone who is made to do small tasks or fetch things for another person, often in a demeaning way.
Slang term for a person who is made to run errands, like a gofer. Often used among students or in casual contexts.
彼は先輩のパシリにされている。
He is being used as an errand boy by his seniors.
A more standard term for someone who runs errands for another, often implying a subordinate role.
彼は上司の使い走りをさせられている。
He is made to run errands for his boss.
Passive form meaning 'to be worked hard' or 'to be ordered around', often for menial tasks.
バイト先でこき使われている。
I'm being worked like a dog at my part-time job.
Literally 'servant' or 'menial'. Can be used jokingly or in fictional contexts to describe someone treated like a servant.
彼女は彼を下僕のように扱う。
She treats him like a servant.
To emphasize the action of being sent to get something, often repeatedly.
Causative-passive form meaning 'to be made to go shopping'. Can be used for any errand involving fetching items.
いつも母に買い物に行かされる。
I'm always made to go shopping by my mom.
Means 'to be made to go and get something'. Flexible for various objects.
彼は上司にコーヒーを取りに行かされた。
He was made to go get coffee by his boss.
To convey the nuance of being treated as someone whose role is to serve another.
Directly means 'to be treated like a servant'. Stronger and more explicit.
彼は家族に召使いのように扱われている。
He is treated like a servant by his family.
Means 'slave'. Used hyperbolically to express extreme exploitation.
Very strong word; use only in extreme or joking contexts.
この仕事じゃまるで奴隷だ。
In this job, I'm practically a slave.
Directly translating 'person who is made to do things or get things for someone else' into a single Japanese noun is unnatural. Instead, use specific terms like パシリ or phrases with causative-passive verbs.
パシリ is slangy and common among young people, while 使い走り is more standard and can be used in formal contexts. Both imply a subordinate role.