Translation guide
The English word "retainer" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a fee paid in advance, a servant or attendant, and a device that holds something in place. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
A fee paid to secure someone's services, often a lawyer or consultant, or a deposit to hold something.
The lawyer asked for a retainer before starting the case. · We need to pay a retainer to hold the date.
Specifically a retainer fee paid to a lawyer or professional at the start of a case or project. Common in legal contexts.
I paid 300,000 yen as a retainer to the lawyer.
A general term for a retainer or service fee paid when requesting work. Broader than 着手金.
I paid the consultant a retainer in advance.
A deposit or retainer to hold a reservation or booking. Used for hotels, venues, etc.
A retainer is required to secure the venue.
Literally 'advance payment compensation'. A descriptive phrase when no specific term fits.
I paid a retainer to the freelance designer.
A person who serves a lord, master, or household, especially in historical contexts.
The lord's retainers accompanied him to battle. · She was a trusted retainer in the royal household.
A retainer or vassal serving a feudal lord. Common in historical dramas and literature.
He pledged loyalty as a retainer to the shogun.
A retainer or subject of a monarch or lord. More formal and often used in historical or fantasy settings.
An attendant or follower, often accompanying a person of high rank. Can be used in modern contexts for a personal assistant.
A hereditary retainer or vassal of a samurai family. Strongly associated with feudal Japan.
A device or appliance that keeps something in position, such as a dental retainer or a mechanical retainer.
I lost my retainer and need a new one. · The retainer clip secures the cable.
Loanword from English, commonly used for dental retainers and some mechanical retainers.
You need to wear a retainer after orthodontic treatment.
Technical term for a dental retainer. Used by orthodontists.
Please wear your retainer every night.
A general term for a holding device or jig in engineering. Can be used for mechanical retainers.
This retainer holds the parts in place.
In modern Japanese, calling someone a 家来 or 臣下 outside of historical or fantasy contexts can sound archaic or insulting. For a modern personal assistant or employee, use 秘書 (secretary) or 助手 (assistant) instead.
着手金 is specifically a retainer for legal or professional services at the start of work. 依頼料 is a broader term for any fee paid when requesting a service, and may not always be a retainer. Use 着手金 for lawyers, 依頼料 for consultants or agencies.
The king's retainers gathered.
He served as a retainer to the nobleman.
That retainer has served the master's family for generations.