Japanese word

中堅

Pronunciation

Romajichūken

Meaning

  • nounmainstay

Example

彼女は会社の中堅として、若手を支えています。kano jo wa gai sha no chū ken to shi te waka te o sasa e te i ma su

She is a mainstay of the company and supports younger employees.

Illustration for 中堅 (mainstay)

More examples

彼は中堅として、部署間の調整役を務めています。kare wa chū ken to shi te bu sho kan no chō sei yaku o tsuto me te i ma su

As a mid-level employee, he coordinates between departments.

Core concept

Refers to an experienced person who provides steady support while occupying a middle level in an organization.

Common phrases

  • 中堅社員chū ken sha in

    mid-level employee

  • 会社の中堅kai sha no chū ken

    a key person in the company

Similar words

ベテランbeteran: An experienced person with well-developed skills in a particular field.

Definition in Japanese

組織で中位の職位にあり、経験と実力を備えて中心的な役割を担う人。so shiki de chū i no shoku i ni a ri kei ken to jitsu ryoku o sona e te chū shin teki na yaku wari o nina u hito

Word origin

中堅 (chūken) combines 中 (chū, "middle") with 堅 (ken, "firm"), and the compound came to describe people who form a firm core at the center of an organization.

Usage tips

  • A 中堅 (chūken) employee can connect younger workers with senior staff, so the term conveys both an established role and a middle position.

Other meanings

  • mid-level employeenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word