次長(じちょう)

じちょう
noun
deputy director; vice-chief
businessoccupation
1. deputy director; vice-chief; assistant manager
The second-in-command within an organization or department. Ranks directly below the head (長) and acts as a substitute or assistant. Common in government agencies, corporations, and other organizations.
田中(たなか)さんが次長(じちょう)に昇進(しょうしん)した。
Tanaka was promoted to deputy director.
部長(ぶちょう)が不在(ふざい)のときは次長(じちょう)が代行(だいこう)する。
When the department head is absent, the deputy director acts in their place.
次長(じちょう)として長年(ながねん)組織(そしき)を支(ささ)えてきた功績(こうせき)が認(みと)められた。
His long years of service supporting the organization as deputy director were recognized.

Usage

A compound of 次(じ) (next, secondary) + 長(ちょう) (chief, head). Refers to the person who is second in command to a 長(ちょう) (director/chief). The exact English equivalent varies by context: deputy director, vice-chief, assistant manager, etc.

Common collocations

  • 事務次長(じむじちょう) (deputy secretary-general)
  • 課長(かちょう)・次長(じちょう)・部長(ぶちょう) (section chief → deputy director → department head, typical hierarchy)

Similar words

  • 副〜(ふく〜): vice-/deputy- — a prefix used with titles (副社長(ふくしゃちょう), 副部長(ふくぶちょう)), often interchangeable in meaning
  • 部長(ぶちょう): department head — the position directly above 次長(じちょう)

Related Words

Related: 部長(ぶちょう) (department head (direct superior))
Compare: 副部長(ふくぶちょう) (deputy department head)
general
Added 2026.3.19 12:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17500/17780_jichou