1.
deputy department head; assistant manager; vice-captain (of a club)
The person who supports and acts as deputy to a 部長 — a department head in a company, or the captain of a school or university club. Responsibilities typically include deputizing for the head when absent and handling day-to-day coordination within the unit.
副部長に選ばれた。
I was chosen as deputy department head.
営業部の副部長が会議を仕切った。
The deputy manager of the sales department ran the meeting.
部長が出張中は副部長が代わりに判断する。
While the department head is on a business trip, the deputy makes decisions in his place.
Formed with the prefix 副- ('vice-; assistant; deputy') attached to 部長 ('department head; club captain'). The same pattern produces 副社長 ('vice president') and 副会長 ('vice chair').
USAGE:
- In corporate contexts: the second-in-command of a department (部), ranking below the 部長 and above section chiefs (課長).
- In school/club contexts: the vice-captain of a school club (also called 部), supporting the student-elected 部長.
- Often abbreviated to 副 within the organization when context is clear: 「副にやらせる」('have the deputy do it').
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 副部長に任命する: to appoint as deputy head
- 副部長に昇進する: to be promoted to deputy head
- 副部長職: the position of deputy head
- 副部長代理: acting deputy head
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 部長: department head; club captain — the superior whom the 副部長 supports.
- 次長: deputy director; assistant manager — a similar-rank position, often more senior in large organizations; typically used one level up from 副部長.
- 課長: section chief — the rank below 部長 in the standard corporate hierarchy.
- 副会長: vice chair; vice president (of a society) — same 副- prefix applied to 会長.
- 副社長: vice president (of a company) — senior corporate officer, not a department-level role.