部 下(ぶか)

ぶか

noun

subordinate, underling

1. subordinate, underling

A person who works under someone's supervision or command in an organization, workplace, or military.

部下(ぶか)が三人(さんにん)いる。

I have three subordinates.

部下(ぶか)の仕事(しごと)をよく見(み)ている。

I keep a close eye on my subordinates' work.

優秀(ゆうしゅう)な部下(ぶか)に恵(めぐ)まれている。

I am blessed with excellent subordinates.

部下(ぶか)の指導(しどう)も管理職(かんりしょく)の大切(たいせつ)な仕事(しごと)だ。

Training subordinates is also an important job for managers.

部下(ぶか)との信頼(しんらい)関係(かんけい)を築(きず)くためには、日(ひ)ごろのコミュニケーションが大切(たいせつ)だ。

Daily communication is important for building a relationship of trust with subordinates.

COMPOSITION: 部(ぶ) (section, division) + 下(か) (under). Literally "under the division/section."

CONTRAST:

部下(ぶか) ↔ 上司(じょうし) (subordinate ↔ boss/superior)
Both are standard business vocabulary

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

部下(ぶか)を持(も)つ (to have subordinates)
部下(ぶか)を育(そだ)てる (to develop subordinates)
部下(ぶか)を指導(しどう)する (to supervise subordinates)
部下(ぶか)に任(まか)せる (to delegate to subordinates)
部下(ぶか)との関係(かんけい) (relationship with subordinates)

RELATED TERMS:

上司(じょうし) (boss, superior)
同僚(どうりょう) (colleague)
後輩(こうはい) (junior colleague)
先輩(せんぱい) (senior colleague)
チームメンバー (team member - more modern/neutral term)

USAGE NOTE:
部下(ぶか) implies a clear hierarchical relationship. In modern Japanese business culture, some companies prefer flatter terms like チームメンバー or 担当者(たんとうしゃ) to promote a less hierarchical atmosphere.

Related Words

Antonym: 上司(じょうし) (superior)

Related: 同僚(どうりょう) (colleague)

Synonym: 配下(はいか) (under one's command (formal))

core

Added 2026.1.17 23:45 · Revised 2026.7.12 9:18

06000/06453_buka