How to say "caretaker" in Japanese

• 守衛しゅえいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'caretaker' only in the sense of someone guarding an entrance: a security guard or doorkeeper at a gate. For a person who looks after a building, this is not the word you want.
  守衛しゅえいにとがめられた。↗

  I was challenged by a gatekeeper.
• 世話人せわにんCommon
  nounA person who takes care of people or arrangements — the 'caretaker' of a group or event rather than of a building; the one who handles the practical side of things for others.
• 世話役せわやくCommon
  nounClose in meaning to 世話人: someone charged with looking after participants or arrangements, a caretaker role for a gathering or group. It does not refer to building maintenance.
  さあ、今いま汲くみなさい。そして宴会えんかいの世話役せわやくの所ところに持もっていきなさい。↗

  Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.
• 用務員ようむいんCommon
  nounA person employed to look after a building — cleaning, small repairs, and daily chores, often at a school. For the building-keeper sense of 'caretaker', this is the word to reach for.
• 管理人かんりにんCommon
  nounThe person placed in charge of looking after a building or property on the owner's behalf, such as an apartment manager; it also serves for the sense 'administrator'.
  管理人かんりにんによってアカウントの認証にんしょうが行おこなわれたあと、あなたに確認かくにんのメールが送おくられます。↗

  You will receive a confirmation email after your account has been activated by an administrator.

For someone employed to look after a building, use 用務員 or 管理人; for someone who looks after people or arrangements, use 世話人 or 世話役; 守衛 is really a guard or doorkeeper.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 守衛しゅえい(security) guard
• 世話人せわにんsponsor
• 世話役せわやくmanager
• 用務員ようむいんjanitor
• 管理人かんりにんadministrator
• 引取り人ひきとりにんcaretaker
• 飼育員しいくいんcaretaker (at a zoo or aquarium)
• 迎え主むかえぬしcaretaker (of a rescue pet)
• 引き取り手ひきとりてclaimant
• 世話係せわがかりattendant
• 留守番るすばんcaretaker
• 留守居るすいcaretaker (official post in the Edo period)
• 世話焼きせわやきmanager
• 里親さとおや(pet) caretaker