Japanese word

事務的

Pronunciation

Romajijimuteki

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveimpersonal

Example

店員の返事は事務的です。ten in no hen ji wa ji mu teki de su

The clerk's reply is impersonal.

Illustration for 事務的 (impersonal)

More examples

問い合わせには事務的に答えました。to i a wa se ni wa ji mu teki ni kota e ma shi ta

I answered the inquiry in an impersonal manner.

Core concept

Describes a manner that handles matters without personal feeling or involvement, making the response seem detached and businesslike.

Common phrases

  • 事務的な対応ji mu teki na tai ō

    impersonal response

  • 事務的な口調ji mu teki na ku chō

    businesslike tone

  • 事務的に答えるji mu teki ni kota e ru

    answer in a businesslike manner

Similar words

機械的kikaiteki: Describes a manner that follows a fixed process and shows little personal feeling.
形式的keishikiteki: Follows an established form or procedure without adding personal involvement.
冷淡reitan: Shows little warmth, sympathy, or concern for another person.

Definition in Japanese

個人的な感情や事情を交えず、用件だけを処理するようなさま。ko jin teki na kan jō ya ji jō o maji e zu yō ken da ke o sho ri su ru yō na sa ma

Word origin

事務的 (jimuteki) is formed from 事務 (jimu, "administrative work") and 的 (teki, "-like"), so it describes behavior modeled on routine office handling.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 事務的 (jimuteki) can describe a reply that gives necessary information without the warmth expected in friendly talk.

Other meanings

  • businesslikena-adjective
  • administrativena-adjective

Opposites

  • 親身shinmicaringna-adjective

Related words

  • 事務的さjimutekisaimpersonalitynoun

Word lists with this word