Japanese word

当番

Pronunciation

Romajitōban

Meaning

  • nounon duty, duty

Example

私は今日の当番です。watashi wa kyō no tō ban de su

I am on duty today.

Illustration for 当番 (on duty)

More examples

今日は当番です。kyō wa tō ban de su

I am on duty today.

図書室の当番が本を棚に戻します。to sho shitsu no tō ban ga hon o tana ni modo shi ma su

The person on duty in the library puts the books back on the shelves.

Core concept

Describes responsibility for a specific duty during one's assigned turn or period.

Common phrases

  • 当番を務めるtō ban o tsuto me ru

    serve as the person on duty

  • 当番に当たるtō ban ni a ta ru

    be assigned to duty

  • 当番を交代するtō ban o kō tai su ru

    switch duty shifts

Similar words

係kakari: A person assigned to take care of a particular task or area on a regular basis.
担当tantō: A person in charge of a particular task or area over a set or continuing period.

Definition in Japanese

順番に割り当てられる役目。また、その役目を受け持つ人。jun ban ni wa ri a te ra re ru yaku me ma ta so no yaku me o u ke mo tsu hito

Word origin

当番 (tōban) is formed from 当 (tō, "assigned") and 番 (ban, "turn or watch"), linking an assigned role with the person who carries it out.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese schools, 当番 (tōban) commonly describes rotating classroom jobs such as cleaning or caring for plants.

Other meanings

  • one's turnnoun
  • person on dutynoun

Related words

  • 当番制tōbanseiduty rotation systemnoun

Word lists with this word