Japanese word

官僚

Pronunciation

Romajikanryō

Meaning

  • nounbureaucrat

Example

その官僚は新しい案を説明しました。so no kan ryō wa atara shi i an o setsu mei shi ma shi ta

That bureaucrat explained a new plan.

Illustration for 官僚 (bureaucrat)

More examples

将来、官僚として国の仕事に関わりたいです。shō rai kan ryō to shi te kuni no shi goto ni kaka wa ri ta i de su

In the future, I want to work in government as a bureaucrat.

Core concept

Describes an official who carries out the practical work of running public administration within a government organization.

Common phrases

  • 官僚になるkan ryō ni na ru

    become a bureaucrat

  • 官僚として働くkan ryō to shi te hatara ku

    work as a bureaucrat

Similar words

役人yakunin: A government office worker who deals with public administration and official procedures.
公務員kōmuin: A person who works for the government in a public service role.

Definition in Japanese

国家や地方公共団体などで、行政の実務を担当する公務員。kok ka ya chi hō kō kyō dan tai na do de gyō sei no jitsu mu o tan tō su ru kō mu in

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 官 (kan, "government office or official") and 僚 (ryō, "colleague") refers to a government official working with other officials.

Usage tips

  • In English, bureaucrat can be neutral, but it often suggests a government official whose work involves formal procedures and administrative rules.

Other meanings

  • government officialnoun

Related words

  • 官僚的kanryōtekibureaucraticna-adjective
  • 官僚主義kanryōshugibureaucracynoun

Word lists with this word