Japanese word

部下

Pronunciation

Romajibuka

Meaning

  • noundirect report

Example

私には部下が三人います。watashi ni wa bu ka ga san nin i ma su

I have three direct reports.

Illustration for 部下 (direct report)

More examples

上司は部下の意見を聞いてから、仕事の方針を決めます。jō shi wa bu ka no i ken o ki i te ka ra shi goto no hō shin o ki me ma su

The boss decides how to proceed after listening to the opinions of their direct reports.

Core concept

Describes a person whose work is guided by someone with higher authority in a group or organization.

Common phrases

  • 部下がいるbu ka ga i ru

    have direct reports

  • 部下を持つbu ka o mo tsu

    have direct reports

  • 部下に指示を出すbu ka ni shi ji o da su

    give instructions to direct reports

Similar words

配下haika: A person under the authority or control of a leader, especially in a formal organization.
手下teka: A person who follows another person's orders, often in a casual or disapproving context.

Definition in Japanese

組織や集団で、上位の者から指示を受けて働く人。so shiki ya shū dan de jō i no mono ka ra shi ji o u ke te hatara ku hito

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 部下 (buka) consists of 部 (bu, "section") and 下 (ka, "below"), whose combination indicates a person below a leader.

Usage tips

  • Because Japanese does not mark plural nouns, 部下 (buka) can mean one or several people under a manager, depending on context.

Other meanings

  • subordinatenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word