How to say "supervision" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 監督かんとくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe broadest and most usual word for supervision: overseeing work, staff, or a project, and also directing films or sports teams. When you simply mean 'supervision', this is the word you want.
- 指揮しきnoun, suru verb, transitive verbBest fits the 'command; direction' side of supervision: directing personnel, troops, or an orchestra in an authoritative, leading way. As a rendering of 'supervision' alone it is only a marginal choice.
- 取り締まりとりしまりnounCovers supervision in the sense of control or policing of conduct: regulation and crackdowns by authorities over behavior, traffic, or trade. Its nuance is enforcement, not guidance.
- 主管しゅかんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbUsed for supervision in the sense of having charge of a particular area of administration, as when a department or official is responsible for a given function. It also denotes the supervisor or manager in charge.
- 監理かんりnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers supervision as administration or superintendence of an organization or system, typically in formal official contexts. A more bureaucratic, less general choice than 監督.
Choose 監督 for general oversight (especially of work, staff, or productions), 指揮 for command-like direction of people, 「取り締まり」 for regulatory control, 主管 for being in charge of a department or function, and 監理 for administrative supervision.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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