How to say "secretary" in Japanese

• 長官ちょうかんJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe head of a government agency or office; this is the 'secretary' of American-style cabinet titles. It names the official in charge of the organization, not an assistant.
  長官ちょうかんは彼かれに全権ぜんけんを委任いにんした。↗

  The governor invested him with full authority.
• 書記しょきCommon
  nounA clerk: someone who keeps records and does the writing for an organization. In political contexts it corresponds to a party secretary; it does not mean an assistant who manages a busy person's schedule.
  われわれの討議とうぎは書記しょきによって記録きろくされる。↗

  The records of our discussions are kept by the secretary.
• 参事さんじCommon
  nounReally a councillor: an official who advises or takes part in an organization's deliberations. Its 'secretary' sense is marginal, so for an ordinary secretary this is seldom the word you want.
• 書記官しょきかんCommon
  nounA 'secretary' in the sense of an official government post, as in the diplomatic service, where embassy secretaries hold this title. It is not a word for clerical help in an ordinary office.
• 事務官じむかんCommon
  nounAn administrative official in government service; its 'secretary' sense is such an administrative post. It does not refer to a private secretary who handles an executive's correspondence and appointments.

These words cover only official senses of 'secretary': 長官 heads a government agency, 書記官 and 事務官 are official posts, 書記 is a clerk or party secretary, 参事 a councillor; none means a personal or office assistant.

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

• 長官ちょうかんsecretary (government)
• 書記しょきclerk
• 参事さんじsecretary
• 書記官しょきかんsecretary
• 事務官じむかんadministrative official
• セクレタリーsecretary
• 務長官むちょうかんsecretary (government)
• 尚書しょうしょminister
• 書き役かきやくclerk
• 秘書ひしょ(private) secretary