Japanese word

上司

Pronunciation

Romajijōshi

Meaning

  • nounboss

Example

私の上司はやさしいです。watashi no jō shi wa ya sa shi i de su

My boss is kind.

Illustration for 上司 (boss)

More examples

仕事の進め方について、上司に相談します。shi goto no susu me kata ni tsu i te jō shi ni sō dan shi ma su

I will consult my boss about how to proceed with the work.

Core concept

上司 (jōshi) refers to a person above someone in a workplace hierarchy who gives direction and oversees work.

Common phrases

  • 上司に相談するjō shi ni sō dan su ru

    consult one's boss

  • 上司の許可を得るjō shi no kyo ka o u ru

    get one's boss's permission

  • 上司に報告するjō shi ni hō koku su ru

    report to one's boss

Similar words

上長jōchō: A workplace superior who gives instructions and is responsible for overseeing a subordinate's work.
上役uwayaku: A person of higher rank in a workplace who can direct other workers.
目上meue: Someone regarded as senior because of status, age, or position.

Definition in Japanese

職場で自分より上の立場にあり、仕事の指示や管理をする人。shoku ba de ji bun yo ri ue no tachi ba ni a ri shi goto no shi ji ya kan ri o su ru hito

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 上司 (jōshi) combines 上 (jō, "upper") and 司 (shi, "administer"), forming the sense of a person in a higher position who oversees others.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese workplaces, 上司 (jōshi) usually means a workplace superior, while the English word "boss" can also mean an owner or person in charge.

Other meanings

  • higher-upsnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word