部 下(ぶか)

ぶか

noun

subordinate, underling

business

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."

Similar words

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 words

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

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))

Related: 後輩(こうはい) (junior colleague)

Related: 先輩(せんぱい) (senior colleague)

Related: チームメンバー (team member)

Related: 目下(めした) (subordinate)

Compare: 下位(かい) (lower rank, subordinate position)

Compare: 子分(こぶん) (follower, henchman)

core

Added 2026.1.17 23:45 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

06000/06453_buka