government official; public servant; bureaucrat
A neutral term for a person who works in a government office or public administration. Can carry a slightly bureaucratic or formal tone depending on context.
He works as an official at the city hall.
The government officials discussed the new policy.
He became a government official after graduating from university.
The officials issued a new permit.
He bribed the official to get the permit.
役人 is a plain, broad word for any government official, whereas 高官 implies a senior or high-level position.
役人 is a casual, sometimes slightly negative word for any government official, whereas 事務官 is the formal job title used in official contexts.
役人 is a general, sometimes slightly informal word for any government official, whereas 係官 stresses the specific duty or section that person is responsible for.
Edo-period town official; chōnin official
bureaucratic mentality; bureaucratism