What does 係 mean in Japanese?
係 means “person in charge, connection” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 係 (person in charge), 関係 (relation), and 係員 (staff in charge).
For learners, the key is to study 係 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: ケイ (kei)
Kun’yomi: かか-る (kaka-ru), かかり (kakari)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 係 |
|---|
How to Understand This Kanji
係 is not limited to one English translation. In 係 (かかり), it means person in charge; in 関係 (かんけい), it points to relation; and in 係員 (かかりいん), it is used for staff in charge. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 係（かかり / kakari） — person in charge
- 関係（かんけい / kankei） — relation
- 係員（かかりいん / kakariin） — staff in charge
- 受付係（うけつけがかり / uketsukegakari） — receptionist
- 係長（かかりちょう / kakarichō） — section chief
- 無関係（むかんけい / mukankei） — unrelated
Example Sentences
-
受付の係に聞いてください。
うけつけのかかりにきいてください。 / Uketsuke no kakari ni kiite kudasai.
Please ask the person at reception.
-
家族との関係を大切にしています。
かぞくとのかんけいをたいせつにしています。 / Kazoku to no kankei o taisetsu ni shite imasu.
I value my relationship with my family.
-
係員が席を案内しました。
かかりいんがせきをあんないしました。 / Kakariin ga seki o annai shimashita.
The staff member showed us to our seats.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 係 (かかり / kakari) because it keeps the core meaning of 係 clear. Then add 関係 and 係員 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 係 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
係 means “person in charge, connection” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 係, 関係, and 係員.