How to say "supervisor" in Japanese

• スーパーバイザーCommon
  nounThe direct loanword for a supervisor, especially someone who oversees staff or trainees in a workplace setting. When you simply mean 'my supervisor' at work, this is the safe default choice.
• 主管しゅかんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers supervision in the sense of being in charge of a department or section of work; it reads more like 'supervision; management'. Better for the abstract role or duty than for addressing a person.
• 監察官かんさつかんCommon
  nounA government official who inspects and oversees other agencies or staff. Use it only where 'supervisor' really means an official inspector or watchdog; for ordinary workplace supervision it is not the word you want.
• 親方おやかたCommon
  nounThe boss or master in a trade — a construction foreman, the head of a craft workshop, or the master of sumo stable. It matches 'supervisor' only loosely; think 'boss/foreman' rather than 'supervisor'.
• 責任者せきにんしゃCommon
  nounThe person in charge or the responsible party for a task or project, which may include supervising other staff. When 'supervisor' implies being the one answerable for something, this fits well.
  この部ぶの責任者せきにんしゃは誰だれか。↗

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Use 「スーパーバイザー」 for a general workplace supervisor, 責任者 for the person in charge, 主管 for a supervisory/management role, 親方 for a boss or foreman in trades, and 監察官 mainly for inspectors.

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

• スーパーバイザーsupervisor
• 主管しゅかんsupervision
• 監察官かんさつかんinspector
• 親方おやかたmaster
• 責任者せきにんしゃperson in charge (including a supervisory role for other staff)
• 管理者かんりしゃmanager
• 管理人かんりにんadministrator
• 統轄者とうかつしゃsupervisor
• スーババイザsupervisor
• 管理監督者かんりかんとくしゃsupervisor
• 統監とうかんsupervision
• 監督者かんとくしゃsuperintendent
• 所属長しょぞくちょうsuperior
• 監視プログラムかんしプログラムmonitoring program
• 宰領さいりょうsupervision
• 監督かんとくdirector
• 監事かんじsupervisor