Meaning and Usage
"上司" (じょうし) refers to a person's superior or boss in a workplace or organizational context. It is commonly used to talk about someone who holds a higher position or authority than the speaker.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "上司" in office conversations, when discussing work relationships, instructions, or reporting tasks. It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Typical Collocations
- 上司に報告する: to report to one's superior
- 上司の指示: instructions from the boss
- 上司と部下: superior and subordinate relationship
Usage Notes
When using "上司," the speaker implies respect for the hierarchical relationship but does not necessarily express personal feelings. Avoid confusing "上司" with "先輩" (senior colleague), which refers to someone with more experience but not necessarily a higher position.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use "上司" to mean any senior person, but it specifically means a person with authority over you at work. For seniors without authority, "先輩" is more appropriate.