1.
intermediary; go-between; the person or thing that connects; bridging role
Someone — or occasionally something — that serves to connect, link, or bridge two sides. Often used for a person who mediates between two parties, or a figure who links an older and newer generation, or someone filling a temporary connecting role.
つなぎ役になる。
To serve as an intermediary.
彼女は社長と社員のつなぎ役を果たしている。
She serves as the go-between linking the president and the employees.
若手と古参のつなぎ役として、中堅社員の役割は大きい。
Mid-career employees play a major role as the bridge between young and veteran staff.
新しい監督が決まるまで、コーチがつなぎ役として指揮をとることになった。
Until a new manager is chosen, the coach will take the helm in a bridging role.
Composed of つなぎ (the nominal form of 繋ぐ "to connect") and 役 (role, part). Describes a person or position that connects two sides, parties, generations, or eras. Often used in workplace, political, and sports contexts.
The word has two closely related flavors:
1. A mediator or go-between who passes information or smooths relations between two parties
2. A transitional figure who fills a gap between something ending and something beginning (e.g., an acting leader)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- つなぎ役を果たす: to fulfill a bridging role
- つなぎ役になる: to become an intermediary
- つなぎ役として働く: to work as a go-between
- 世代のつなぎ役: a bridge between generations
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 仲介役: mediating role, agent — more formal, often used in business and legal contexts
- 調整役: coordinating role — emphasizes harmonizing interests rather than simply connecting them
- 橋渡し: bridge-building, mediation — a metaphor for the same role
- 中継役: relay role — emphasizes passing something along, as in broadcasting or baseball relays