用よう人にん

noun

steward; manager; factotum

Historical role in the Edo period: a high-ranking servant in a samurai household responsible for general management and accounting, ranking just below the chief retainers. Often encountered in period dramas and historical texts.

See also: 御用人

• 時じ代だい劇げきでは、用よう人にんが帳ちょう簿ぼを調しらべている場ば面めんがよく出でてくる。

  In period dramas, scenes often show the steward examining the account books.

• 彼かれの先せん祖ぞは江え戸ど時じ代だいに藩はんの用よう人にんを務つとめていた。

  His ancestor served as a steward for the domain during the Edo period.

noun

useful person; handy person

Modern, somewhat colloquial extension of the historical term. Refers to someone who is generally capable and can be relied upon for various tasks, like a jack-of-all-trades. Often used in a light, appreciative tone.

• 彼かれは何なんでもできるから、本ほん当とうに用よう人にんだね。

  He can do anything, so he's a really useful person.

• 会かい社しゃに一人ひとりは用よう人にんが欲ほしいものだ。

  Every company could use a jack-of-all-trades.