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)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。
To build a relationship of trust with subordinates.
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.

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)
core
Added 2026.1.17 23:45 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06453_buka