Translation guide
To subcontract means to hire another company or person to do part of a larger job. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with the noun 下請け (したうけ) or the verb 下請けする (したうけする). The concept is widely used in business, construction, and manufacturing.
To outsource part of a project or job to another company or individual.
The most common noun meaning 'subcontract' or 'subcontractor'. Can refer to the act or the entity.
その会社は下請けに仕事を出している。
That company subcontracts work to others.
下請け企業を探しています。
We are looking for a subcontractor.
The verb form meaning 'to subcontract'. Often used in business contexts.
この部分は下請けすることにした。
We decided to subcontract this part.
Refers to outsourcing or subcontracting, especially in manufacturing or IT. Often used as a noun or with する.
Means 'entrust' or 'commission', often used for subcontracting services or work. More formal than 下請け.
業務を委託する。
We subcontract the operations.
Refers to a sub-subcontractor, i.e., a company that takes work from a subcontractor. Literally 'grandchild subcontract'.
孫請けの孫請けまで存在する。
There are even sub-sub-subcontractors.
Referring to the company or person that receives the subcontracted work.
Common term for a subcontractor (business).
下請け業者に発注した。
We placed an order with a subcontractor.
Specifically a subcontracting company.
下請け会社との契約を更新する。
Renew the contract with the subcontracting company.
The destination or recipient of outsourced work; a subcontractor.
外注先を探す。
Look for a subcontractor.
下請け is the most direct and common term for subcontracting, especially in construction and manufacturing. 外注 emphasizes outsourcing to an external party, often used in IT and production. 委託 is more formal and implies entrusting a task or service, commonly used in legal or administrative contexts.
The English word 'subcontract' can be a noun or verb. In Japanese, use 下請け as a noun and 下請けする as a verb. Do not try to directly translate 'sub' and 'contract' separately.
デザイン作業を地元の会社に下請けに出している。
We subcontract the design work to a local firm.
彼らは大規模建設プロジェクトの下請け業者として活動している。
They act as a subcontractor for major construction projects.