1.
person in charge, attendant, clerk
A person responsible for a specific task or area.
受付係に聞いてください。
Please ask the reception clerk.
この件は田中が係です。
Tanaka is in charge of this matter.
案内係が入口で待っています。
A guide is waiting at the entrance.
2.
duty, role (in a group)
An assigned responsibility, especially in schools or organizations.
私は掃除係です。
I'm in charge of cleaning.
Common in school/group settings
今日の日直係は誰ですか。
Who is on class duty today?
Common in Japanese schools
給食係は配り終わったら座ってください。
Those on lunch duty, please sit down after you finish serving.
係 refers to a person responsible for a specific task or the role/duty itself.
COMMON COMPOUND WORDS:
- 受付係 (receptionist)
- 案内係 (guide, usher)
- 担当係 (person in charge)
- 窓口係 (counter staff)
SCHOOL ROLES (common in Japan):
- 掃除係 (cleaning duty)
- 日直係 (class monitor for the day)
- 給食係 (lunch duty)
- 黒板係 (blackboard duty)
ALTERNATIVE READING:
- 係 can also be read as 係 when used as a suffix in some compounds
Related Words
Related:
担当 (in charge of)