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上司 (じょうし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

上じょう司し

じょ

う

し

Common word›JLPTN2›Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

superior; boss; higher-up

Refers to a person in a higher position at work or in an organization. Neutral term; not inherently honorific, but often used with respectful language when referring to one's own boss.

See also: 部下 · 目上

新あたら

しい

上じょう

司し

は

とても

親しん

切せつ

だ

。

My new boss is very kind.

上じょう司しに報ほう告こく書しょを提てい出しゅつした。

I submitted the report to my superior.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉に相そう談だんするto consult one's boss about something
この件けんについて上じょう司しに相そう談だんした。
I consulted my boss about this matter.
〈人ひと〉の指し示じに従したがうto follow one's boss's instructions
新しん入にゅう社しゃ員いんは上じょう司しの指し示じに従したがって作さ業ぎょうを進すすめた。
The new employee proceeded with the work following his boss's instructions.
〈人ひと〉に怒おこられるto get scolded by one's boss
遅ち刻こくして上じょう司しに怒おこられた。
I was scolded by my boss for being late.
〈人ひと〉から評ひょう価かされるto be evaluated/praised by one's boss
彼かれは上じょう司しから高たかく評ひょう価かされている。
He is highly evaluated by his boss.

Kanji

上above, up
司director, official, govt office

Related words· 7

目め上うえN2
目上 is a broader term for anyone of higher social status, while 上司 specifically means one's boss at work.
上うわ役やく
上役 is a slightly old-fashioned or formal word for a workplace superior, close in meaning to 上司 but less common in modern casual speech.
ボス
上司 is the standard, formal Japanese word for a workplace superior, while ボス is a casual loanword with the same meaning.
上じょう官かん
上司 is the general word for a boss in any workplace, while 上官 is used specifically for a superior officer in the military or uniformed services.

Show 3 more

スーパーバイザー
上司 is the general word for one's boss or superior in a hierarchy, while スーパーバイザー specifically denotes someone whose job is oversight of workers.
主しゅ人じんN4
主人 used for 'employer' has an old-fashioned, hierarchical feel, while 上司 is the common modern word for one's boss at work.
責せき任にん者しゃ
上司 simply means one's superior in a hierarchy, while 責任者 specifically denotes the person formally responsible for a task or project.

Opposites

部ぶ下かN2
部下 means a subordinate or direct report, the exact opposite of 上司, who is the person in a higher position.

Don't confuse with

上じょう官かん
上官 specifically means a superior officer in the military or police, whereas 上司 is the general word for a boss in any workplace.

Counted with

人にん
上司 is counted with 人 (or the more polite 名), the standard counter for people.

Etymology

Composed of 上 (up, above) and 司 (direct, manage). The combination conveys the idea of a person who manages from above.