Japanese word

親分

Pronunciation

Romajioyabun

Meaning

  • nounboss

Example

親分の言うことを聞きます。oya bun no i u ko to o ki ki ma su

I do what the boss says.

Illustration for 親分 (boss)

More examples

あの親分は、仲間の話をよく聞きます。a no oya bun wa naka ma no hanashi o yo ku ki ki ma su

That boss listens carefully to his associates.

Core concept

Refers to a leader whose authority also carries the closeness and protection associated with a parent.

Common phrases

  • 親分と子分oya bun to ko bun

    boss and underling

  • 親分になるoya bun ni na ru

    become a boss

Similar words

ボスbosu: A leader or person in charge of a group, often in a casual or workplace context.
親玉oyadama: The main leader of a group, often with a rough or negative tone.
親方oyakata: A master or leader who directs workers or apprentices in a trade.

Definition in Japanese

自分より下の者を率い、面倒を見る立場の人。ji bun yo ri shita no mono o hiki i men dō o mi ru tachi ba no hito

Word origin

親分 (oyabun) is formed from 親 (oya, "parent") and 分 (bun, "status or role"), and the combination gives the leader a parent-like standing.

Usage tips

  • The word 親分 (oyabun) can describe a group's informal leader, giving boss a stronger group-leader meaning than its ordinary workplace use.

Opposites

  • 子分kobununderlingnoun

Related words

  • 親分肌oyabunhadaboss-like characternoun

Word lists with this word