Meaning

Primary

Public Official

Alternatives

Government Official, Public Servant

Word Type

noun

Explanation

A person with duty is someone who works for the government... a government official or public official.

Reading

やくにん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. Since has two on'yomi readings, here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

A public official recently declared that all the yaks at Nintendo (やくにん) are going to be kicked out. You didn't know that Nintendo has resident yaks? Well it does, but not for much longer. But who will take care of all the Nintendo yaks now?! Maybe you could take one in!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 市の役人

    city official

    村の役人

    village official

    国の役人

    government official

Context Sentences

今日、役人が来ましたよ。

A public official came today.

大学を出て、全てのテストに通れば、役人になれます。

If you graduate from college and pass all tests, you can become a government official.

役人だって、心のある一人の人間なんですよ。

Even the official is a human with a heart.

Kanji Composition