門番(もんばん)

もんばん
noun
gatekeeper
1. gatekeeper; guard at the gate
Can refer to literal gatekeepers or figurative guardians.
門番(もんばん)に名前(なまえ)を告(つ)げた。
I gave my name to the gatekeeper.
城(しろ)の門番(もんばん)が通行(つうこう)を許可(きょか)した。
The castle gatekeeper permitted passage.
あの編集者(へんしゅうしゃ)は出版(しゅっぱん)業界(ぎょうかい)の門番(もんばん)のような存在(そんざい)だ。
That editor is like a gatekeeper of the publishing industry.

Composed of 門(もん) (gate) + 番(ばん) (guard, watch). Refers to a person who guards or controls access at a gate. Also used figuratively in modern Japanese to describe anyone who controls access to an organization, industry, or resource.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 城(しろ)の門番(もんばん): castle gatekeeper
  • 門番(もんばん)を務(つと)める: to serve as gatekeeper
  • 門番(もんばん)のような役割(やくわり): a gatekeeper-like role

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 守衛(しゅえい): security guard (modern, at buildings or facilities)
  • 番人(ばんにん): watchman, guard (broader usage)
  • 警備員(けいびいん): security guard (professional, modern)
  • ゲートキーパー: gatekeeper (loanword, often used in business contexts)
general
Added 2026.4.19 20:15
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