Translation guide
This English phrase describes a person or thing that holds two roles, positions, or functions at the same time. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with the suffix 〜兼 (けん) attached to the second role, or with the pattern 〜を兼ねて (〜をかねて). The choice depends on formality and whether it's a title, job, or dual-purpose object.
彼は社長兼CEOです。
He is the president and CEO.
この部屋は書斎兼客間です。
This room serves as both a study and a guest room.
To say that someone serves as both A and B, or that something functions as both X and Y.
Attach 兼 (けん) directly after the first role to indicate 'serving concurrently as'. This is the most common and concise pattern, used in titles, business cards, and everyday speech.
彼は社長兼CEOです。
He is the president and CEO.
This room serves as both a study and a guest room.
Use the verb 兼ねる (かねる) in the て-form to mean 'doubling as' or 'also serving as'. This pattern is slightly more formal and often used when explaining the dual purpose of an action or object.
この会議は研修を兼ねています。
This meeting also serves as training.
散歩を兼ねて買い物に行った。
I went shopping, which also served as a walk.
A formal term used in business or organizational contexts to mean 'hold an additional post'. It emphasizes the official nature of holding multiple positions.
彼は営業部長を兼任している。
He concurrently holds the position of sales department manager.
To say that an item or place is used for two different functions at the same time.
The same 兼 pattern works for objects and spaces. It's very natural and widely understood.
このソファはベッド兼用です。
This sofa doubles as a bed.
キッチン兼ダイニングの部屋
a kitchen-dining room
The past tense of 兼ねる used as a modifier before a noun. It describes something that has been designed to serve two purposes.
収納を兼ねたベンチ
a bench that also serves as storage
兼 (けん) is a suffix that can be used in casual and formal settings, while 兼任 (けんにん) is a noun/verb specifically for holding multiple official positions. Use 兼 for everyday dual roles and objects; use 兼任 in business or organizational charts.
彼は会長兼社長だ。
He is chairman and president.
会長と社長を兼任する。
He holds the concurrent posts of chairman and president.
English phrases like 'serving concurrently as' can sound stiff if translated word-for-word. In most cases, the simple 兼 pattern is more natural than trying to use 同時に (どうじに) or other adverbial phrases.