Japanese word

目下

Pronunciation

Romajimeshita

Meaning

  • nounsubordinate

Example

私は目下の人にも丁寧に話します。watashi wa me shita no hito ni mo tei nei ni hana shi ma su

I speak politely to my subordinates as well.

Illustration for 目下 (subordinate)

More examples

部長は目下の意見にも耳を傾けます。bu chō wa me shita no i ken ni mo mimi o katamu ke ma su

The department manager also listens to the opinions of subordinates.

Core concept

Describes a person placed lower than another in a social or organizational hierarchy.

Common phrases

  • 目下の者me shita no mono

    subordinates

Similar words

部下buka: A person who works under another person's direction in an organization.
配下haika: A person under the authority or control of a leader.
下位者kaisha: A person who occupies a lower position in an organization or group.

Definition in Japanese

組織や社会で、自分より下の立場にある人。so shiki ya sha kai de ji bun yo ri shita no tachi ba ni a ru hito

Word origin

目下 (meshita) is a Japanese compound of 目 (me, "eye") and 下 (shita, "below"), using the idea of being below to express lower status.

Usage tips

  • The noun subordinate often appears in formal workplace or organizational language, so it can sound more hierarchical than an ordinary reference to a colleague.

Other meanings

  • juniornoun
  • inferiornoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word