管理人
kanrinin[kã̠n̺ɾʲiɲ̟ĩɴ]
The Japanese word for custodian is 管理人 (kanrinin).
管理人 is used to refer to a custodian or caretaker. In official settings, it is considered the most common and appropriate term to use.
Meaning: (US) a janitor (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 管理人 is a general term for a custodian, if you are specifically referring to a school janitor or caretaker, the term 用務員 (yōmuin) is more precise.
How do you pronounce it?
kanrinin
Did you know?
- In Japanese schools, students perform the duties of a custodian through 掃除 (sōji), a daily cleaning period where they scrub floors and hallways themselves.
- The root word 管理 (kanri) is used in high-stakes corporate environments for 'quality control' or 'information management', giving the word a much more authoritative and professional weight than the English 'janitor'.
- In many Japanese apartment complexes, the 管理人 (kanrinin) often lives in a small on-site unit provided by the building owner to ensure 24-hour presence.
Examples in context
- 今年は、建物の 管理人 を募集しています。This year, we are recruiting a custodian for the building.
- 博物館の 管理人 はとても親切だよ。The custodian at the museum is very kind, you know!
- マンションの管理人が親切です。manshon no kanrinin ga shinsetsu desu.The apartment custodian is kind.
- 管理人さんに鍵を預けています。kanrinin-san ni kagi o azukete imasu.I have left my keys with the custodian.
- あの人は建物の管理人です。ano hito wa tatemono no kanrinin desu.That person is the building custodian.
Example conversation
A woman asks a man about who to contact regarding a lost item in an apartment building.
- 美咲 Misaki忘れ物をしたら、誰に聞けばいいですか？wasuremono o shitara, dare ni kikeba ii desu ka?If I lose something, who should I ask?
- 健太 Kenta建物の管理人に聞いてみてください。tatemono no kanrinin ni kiite mite kudasai.Please try asking the building custodian.
- 美咲 Misaki管理人はどこにいますか？kanrinin wa doko ni imasu ka?Where is the custodian?
- 健太 Kenta一階の事務所にいますよ。ikkai no jimusho ni imasu yo.He is in the first-floor office.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 管理人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
