係

• Reading: かかり
• Romaji: kakari
• Kanji breakdown: 係 (kakari/kei) — duty, person in charge, connection
• Pronunciation: /ka.ka.ɾi/

Meaning

Person in charge; attendant; the one responsible for a specific duty.

A noun used to designate the person assigned to a particular role or task. Extremely common in schools (日直係, 掃除係) and workplaces (受付係, 案内係). Often used as a suffix attached to the duty name. Can also appear in the polite form ご担当の係.

Examples

1. 受付の係に聞いてください。 Please ask the person at the reception desk.
2. 小学校のとき掃除の係だった。 I was in charge of cleaning when I was in elementary school.
3. 案内係が会場まで案内してくれた。 The guide led us to the venue.

Usage Guide

Context: school, workplace, public facilities

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 係 combines 人 (person) and 系 (connection, tie). It originally meant 'to tie' or 'to be connected to,' and evolved to mean the person tied to or responsible for a particular duty.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal