How to Say "Receptionist" in Japanese

受付

uketsuke[ɯ̟ke̞t͡sɨ̥ke̞]

The English word 'receptionist' is translated into Japanese as 受付 (uketsuke).

The term 受付 refers to a receptionist, typically an employee who receives visitors or handles calls in an office setting.

Meaning: employee who receives visitors and/or calls, typically in an office setting (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 受付 is the standard term, you can use 受付係 to more explicitly refer to the specific person performing the role.

uketsuke

Japanese has a specific term 受付嬢 that refers specifically to a female receptionist, reflecting a traditional gender expectation for this front-facing role in corporate culture.
In many traditional Japanese offices, the 受付 is expected to perform a deep bow called ojigi when a guest arrives, which is a non-verbal part of the reception process.
If a receptionist is checking someone into a hotel specifically, the term 受付 might be replaced by the more specialized フロント (furonto), derived from the English word 'front'.

私たちは受付の方に案内されました。
We were guided by the receptionist.
受付嬢の対応はとても丁寧でした。
The receptionist's response was very polite.
受付はどこですか？
Uketsuke wa doko desu ka?
Where is the reception desk?
受付の人がとても親切でした。
Uketsuke no hito ga totemo shinsetsu deshita.
The receptionist was very kind.

Hiroto and Himari arrive at a clinic.

大翔 Hiroto

受付に誰かいますか。
uketsuke ni dareka imasu ka.
Is there anyone at the reception?
陽葵 Himari

あそこに受付の人がいますよ。
asoko ni uketsuke no hito ga imasu yo.
The receptionist is over there.
大翔 Hiroto

あ、本当だ。ありがとうございます。
a, hontou da. arigatou gozaimasu.
Oh, you're right. Thank you.
陽葵 Himari

どういたしまして。行きましょう。
douitashimashite. ikimashou.
You're welcome. Let's go.

Sources

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