Japanese word

役員

Pronunciation

Romajiyakuin

Meaning

  • nounexecutive

Example

会社の役員が話します。kai sha no yaku in ga hana shi ma su

The executive speaks.

Illustration for 役員 (executive)

More examples

彼は若くして会社の役員になりました。kare wa waka ku shi te gai sha no yaku in ni na ri ma shi ta

He became an executive at the company at a young age.

Core concept

Describes a person who holds a senior role in an organization and helps direct its decisions and operations.

Common phrases

  • 役員になるyaku in ni na ru

    become an executive

  • 役員としてyaku in to shi te

    as an executive

Similar words

幹部kanbu: A senior leader who helps manage an organization and guide its overall activities.
重役jūyaku: A senior company officer with an important role in making business decisions.

Definition in Japanese

会社や団体で、運営や重要な意思決定を担う立場の人。kai sha ya dan tai de un ei ya jū yō na i shi ket tei o nina u tachi ba no hito

Word origin

役員 (yakuin, "executive or officer") combines 役 (yaku, "role or duty") and 員 (in, "member"), meaning a member who holds an official role in an organization.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese business conversation, 役員 (yakuin) usually means a company officer, while 社員 (shain) usually means an employee, so the two words are not interchangeable.

Other meanings

  • directornoun

Word lists with this word