Japanese word

肩書き

Pronunciation

Romajikatagaki

Meaning

  • nountitle

Example

会社で肩書きが変わりました。kai sha de kata ga ki ga ka wa ri ma shi ta

My title at the company changed.

Illustration for 肩書き (title)

More examples

彼は肩書きを隠して、気軽に話しました。kare wa kata ga ki o kaku shi te ki garu ni hana shi ma shi ta

He hid his title and spoke casually.

Core concept

Describes the title or social position attached to a person, especially within an organization.

Common phrases

  • 肩書きを持つkata ga ki o mo tsu

    have a title

  • 肩書きを隠すkata ga ki o kaku su

    hide one's title

  • 肩書きを明かすkata ga ki o a ka su

    reveal one's title

  • 肩書きにとらわれるkata ga ki ni to ra wa re ru

    be constrained by one's title

  • 肩書きにふさわしいkata ga ki ni fu sa wa shi i

    befitting one's title

Similar words

職名shokumei: The official name given to a person's job or organizational role.
役職yakushoku: A formal position held by a person in an organization.
称号shōgō: A formal name granted to show honor, rank, or achievement.

Definition in Japanese

人の氏名に添えて示す、職業・役職・身分などの名称。hito no shi mei ni so e te shime su shoku gyō yaku shoku mi bun na do no mei shō

Word origin

The noun 肩書き (katagaki) combines 肩 (kata, "shoulder") and 書き (gaki, "writing"), literally suggesting writing at the shoulder and referring to a person's title or status.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the English word title, which also commonly names a book or film, 肩書き (katagaki) normally concerns a person's occupational or social designation.

Other meanings

  • positionnoun
  • ranknoun

Word lists with this word