Translation guide
A person who provides personal service or assistance to another individual, often in a domestic, travel, or caregiving context. In Japanese, the appropriate term depends heavily on the relationship, setting, and type of service.
A person employed to assist with daily tasks, scheduling, or personal errands, often in a professional or semi-professional capacity.
Standard term for a secretary or personal assistant, typically in a business or formal setting. Implies administrative support.
She works as the president's personal assistant.
A personal attendant who accompanies someone, often a celebrity, artist, or public figure, handling various personal needs. More hands-on and less administrative than 秘書.
The actor always has a personal attendant with him.
A person assigned to take care of someone, often used for attendants in hotels, ryokan, or for elderly/disabled individuals. Literally 'caretaker'.
At the inn, a personal attendant will show you to your room.
A male servant who attends to a gentleman's personal needs, such as clothing, grooming, and travel arrangements.
A formal term for an attendant or servant, often used in historical or aristocratic contexts. Can refer to a valet or personal manservant.
The count's personal attendant carried the luggage.
Loanword from English 'butler', understood in Japanese as a high-class male servant in a Western-style household. Not a traditional Japanese role.
A female servant who attends to a lady's personal needs, such as dressing, hair, and companionship.
A lady's maid or female attendant in a noble or royal household. Historical term, but used in modern contexts for period dramas or formal settings.
The princess's personal attendant prepared the dress.
Loanword from English 'maid', often used for a female domestic servant in Western-style settings. Can imply a personal attendant in some contexts.
A person who provides personal care and assistance to someone who is elderly, ill, or disabled, helping with daily activities.
A professional caregiver, often certified, who assists with bathing, dressing, eating, and other personal care needs.
We hired a personal attendant (caregiver) for my mother.
Common term for a home helper or personal care assistant, often used in the context of visiting care services.
A person who accompanies and assists someone during travel, handling logistics and personal needs.
Polite term for someone who accompanies a person of higher status, often used for travel or outings. Can be a servant, assistant, or companion.
I went abroad as the president's personal attendant.
Formal term for an attendant or member of an entourage, especially for official trips or delegations.
秘書 (hisho) is primarily an office-based administrative assistant, while 付き人 (tsukibito) is a more general personal attendant who may handle a variety of non-administrative tasks, often for celebrities or artists. Choose based on the nature of the work.
A secretary manages schedules, but a personal attendant also takes care of personal needs.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'personal attendant'. Using a literal translation like 個人付き添い人 (kojin tsukisoinin) would sound unnatural. Always choose a term that fits the specific role and context.
その屋敷にはバトラーがいる。
The mansion has a butler (personal attendant).
She is a personal maid for the young lady.
ヘルパーさんが毎日来てくれます。
A personal attendant (helper) comes every day.
I accompanied the minister as a personal attendant.