How to say "administer" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 司るつかさどるgodan verb, transitive verbCovers 'administer' as directing or managing the workings of an office, institution, or sphere of affairs — being in charge of how it runs rather than ruling a land.
- 治めるおさめるichidan verb, transitive verbFits 'administer' when it means governing a country, territory, or domain — ruling it and keeping it in order; this is the political sense, not office management.
- 束ねるたばねるichidan verb, transitive verbIts literal sense is to tie things into a bundle, so its 'administer' meaning is heading an organization or group — leading it as one whole rather than directing individual functions.
Use 「司る」 for directing the workings of an office or sphere of affairs, 「治める」 for governing a country or territory, and 「束ねる」 for heading an organization and holding its parts together as one.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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