副部長(ふくぶちょう)

Formed with the prefix 副(ふく)- ('vice-; assistant; deputy') attached to 部長(ぶちょう) ('department head; club captain'). The same pattern produces 副社長(ふくしゃちょう) ('vice president') and 副会長(ふくかいちょう) ('vice chair').

Usage

• In corporate contexts: the second-in-command of a department (部(ぶ)), ranking below the 部長(ぶちょう) and above section chiefs (課長(かちょう)).
• In school/club contexts: the vice-captain of a school club (also called 部(ぶ)), supporting the student-elected 部長(ぶちょう).
• Often abbreviated to 副(ふく) within the organization when context is clear: 「副(ふく)にやらせる」('have the deputy do it').

Common collocations

• 副部長(ふくぶちょう)に任命(にんめい)する: to appoint as deputy head
• 副部長(ふくぶちょう)に昇進(しょうしん)する: to be promoted to deputy head
• 副部長(ふくぶちょう)職(しょく): the position of deputy head
• 副部長(ふくぶちょう)代理(だいり): acting deputy head

Similar words

• 部長(ぶちょう): department head; club captain — the superior whom the 副部長(ふくぶちょう) supports.
• 次長(じちょう): deputy director; assistant manager — a similar-rank position, often more senior in large organizations; typically used one level up from 副部長(ふくぶちょう).
• 課長(かちょう): section chief — the rank below 部長(ぶちょう) in the standard corporate hierarchy.
• 副会長(ふくかいちょう): vice chair; vice president (of a society) — same 副(ふく)- prefix applied to 会長(かいちょう).
• 副社長(ふくしゃちょう): vice president (of a company) — senior corporate officer, not a department-level role.