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肩書 (かたがき) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
noun
title ; job title ; position ; rank
Refers to a person's official or social title, such as a professional designation, company position, academic degree, or honorific. Often used when describing how someone is introduced or listed.
He is someone who cares a lot about titles and status.
Written forms 肩かた 書がき Usage 45%
Common abbreviated spelling; high-frequency in news and general use.
肩かた 書が き Usage 55%
Full standard spelling with okurigana.
Similar words 称しょう 号ごう 称号 is a formal title, honor, or academic degree conferred by an institution, while 肩書 is a broader, everyday term for any professional or social title a person holds or uses.
役やく 職しょく 役職 specifically means a post or official position within an organization, whereas 肩書 can include non-organizational titles like academic degrees or honorifics.
Etymology Compound of 肩 (kata, 'shoulder') and 書き (kaki, 'writing'), from the idea of a title written beside one's name as if placed on the shoulder. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used since the Edo period to refer to official titles and ranks.
