部下|ぶかbuka[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounsubordinate person
   主任しゅにんは部下ぶかを意いのままに支配しはいしている。↗

   The boss controls his men at will.

• Synonym配下はいかWrittenWritten/formal prose word for subordinates, as in 「配下の者」; leans toward organizations and armies rather than everyday office talk.
• Synonym手下てしたNeutralMostly the underlings of gang bosses and villains, as in 「ボスの手下」; it carries a derogatory shade, so it is not for ordinary staff.
• Related子分こぶんNeutralA follower who serves a boss, as in 「親分と子分」; typical of gangs, not ordinary workplace subordinates.
• Related下っ端したっぱCasualColloquial for the lowliest rank, as in 「下っ端社員」; often self-deprecating or dismissive, unlike the neutral 「部下」.
• Related下役したやくNeutralA low-ranking official or subordinate; somewhat old-fashioned and seen mostly in historical contexts, whereas 「部下」 is the everyday workplace word.
• Related麾下きかFormalFormal, mainly military: troops under a commander's control, as in 「麾下の部隊」; not a word for everyday office staff.
• Related三下さんしたCasualColloquial and contemptuous: a petty small-fry underling, as in 「三下奴」; far harsher than 「部下」.
• Related隷下れいかFormalFormal and rare, mainly military: people or units subordinate to a person or organization; keep it out of everyday speech.
• Antonym上司じょうしNeutralAntonym: the superior who gives the orders, the other side of the 「部下」 relationship.
• Antonym上役うわやくNeutralAntonym: one's superior or boss in the workplace, standing opposite 「部下」.

「部下」 is the default for people under you at work or in an organization (「部下を育てる」). 「配下」 is the written/formal prose variant, for organizations or armies. 「手下」 and 「子分」 fit gang bosses and villains; 「下っ端」 is colloquial for the lowliest staff, 「三下」 a contemptuous small fry. 「麾下」 and 「隷下」 are formal military terms; 「下役」 is dated, for low officials. Opposites: 「上司」, 「上役」.

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

1. ある人物じんぶつあるいはある組織そしきの下したに属ぞくし、命令めいれいを受うけて行動こうどうする人ひと。