Translation guide
The English word "steward" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: a person who manages property or affairs, a ship or airplane attendant, a union representative, and an event organizer. It also notes the modern gender-neutral alternative "flight attendant."
A person employed to manage another's property, finances, or household affairs.
The closest equivalent for a steward in a large household or estate, similar to a butler who manages domestic staff and affairs.
彼はその大邸宅の執事として働いている。
He works as a steward at the mansion.
A more formal or historical term for a steward or majordomo, often used in legal or historical contexts.
その家令は領地の管理を任されていた。
The steward was entrusted with managing the estate.
A general term for a manager or caretaker of a property, not specifically a household steward but can be used in broader contexts.
アパートの管理人が共用部分の掃除をしている。
The building steward is cleaning the common areas.
A person who attends to passengers on a ship, train, or aircraft.
The standard gender-neutral term for a flight attendant or cabin crew member. This is the most common and appropriate term in modern Japanese.
客室乗務員が飲み物を配っていた。
The flight attendants were serving drinks.
A direct loanword from English, used specifically for male flight attendants. Less common than the gender-neutral term, but still understood.
A union member elected to represent colleagues in dealings with management.
A general term for a union official or officer. This is the most straightforward translation for a union steward.
組合役員が労働条件の改善を交渉した。
The union steward negotiated for better working conditions.
Specifically a workplace committee member or shop steward, often used in the context of labor unions at a specific workplace.
職場委員が組合員の意見をまとめた。
The shop steward gathered the union members' opinions.
A person responsible for organizing or supervising an event, such as a race or festival.
A committee member in charge of operations, suitable for a steward at a sporting event or festival.
レースの運営委員がコースの安全を確認した。
The race stewards checked the safety of the course.
A person who takes care of arrangements for an event or group, similar to an organizer or steward in a community context.
お祭りの世話人が屋台の配置を決めた。
The festival stewards decided the layout of the stalls.
In modern Japanese, gender-neutral terms like 客室乗務員 (flight attendant) are preferred over gendered loanwords like スチュワード or スチュワーデス. Using 客室乗務員 avoids assumptions about gender and is more natural in contemporary speech.
While スチュワード is understood, it is not the most common term. Using 客室乗務員 is safer and more natural. スチュワーデス is particularly outdated and may sound old-fashioned or even slightly sexist.
彼は国際線のスチュワードです。
He is a steward on international flights.
An older loanword for a female flight attendant. Now considered somewhat dated and replaced by the gender-neutral term.
昔、彼女はスチュワーデスになりたかった。
She wanted to become a stewardess in the past.