Translation guide
A person who changes their opinions or loyalties to align with those in power, often for personal gain. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through words describing opportunism, sycophancy, and unprincipled behavior.
Describing someone who adapts their beliefs to match the current authority or majority for personal advantage.
Literally 'wait-and-see-ist', this is the closest direct equivalent. It describes someone who opportunistically sides with the stronger party.
彼は日和見主義者で、いつも勝ち馬に乗る。
He's a timeserver, always jumping on the bandwagon.
Literally 'weathercock', a metaphorical term for someone who changes their stance according to the prevailing wind of opinion.
あの政治家は風見鶏だ。
That politician is a timeserver.
Someone who acts according to their own convenience, often changing principles to suit the situation.
彼女はご都合主義者だから、信頼できない。
She's a timeserver, so I can't trust her.
A formal, somewhat literary term for someone who toadies to the powerful, derived from the concept of 'serving the great'.
彼は事大主義者として批判された。
He was criticized as a timeserver.
Emphasizing the aspect of insincere praise or servile behavior toward superiors.
Colloquial term for a sycophant or bootlicker, often used in workplace contexts.
彼は上司にごますりして出世した。
He got promoted by being a timeserver to his boss.
Originally a professional entertainer who flattered guests, now used for a sycophant or yes-man.
A formal term for a flatterer or sycophant.
Focusing on the lack of integrity and willingness to switch allegiances.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'person without principles', often used to criticize timeserving behavior.
彼は節操のない人で、すぐに意見を変える。
He's a timeserver, changing his opinion at the drop of a hat.
A somewhat old-fashioned term for a turncoat or renegade, implying a betrayal of principles.
彼は変節漢として知られている。
He's known as a timeserver.
The English word 'timeserver' has no single exact equivalent in Japanese. Using a literal translation like 時間サーバー would be meaningless. Instead, choose a term based on the specific nuance: opportunism (日和見主義者), sycophancy (ごますり), or lack of principles (節操のない人).
Both mean 'opportunist', but 風見鶏 (weathercock) is more metaphorical and colloquial, often used in political contexts. 日和見主義者 is a more formal, analytical term.
彼は社長の太鼓持ちだ。
He's the president's timeserver.
追従者に囲まれて、彼は傲慢になった。
Surrounded by timeservers, he became arrogant.