当番（とうばん、touban）
- on duty

The Japanese word 当番 (とうばん) primarily means "duty," "turn," or "one's shift" in a context of responsibility or assignment. It refers to a specific task or responsibility assigned to someone for a particular time or occasion. This can range from daily chores at school or work to more significant duties. It implies that a person is responsible for something at a given time. The 当番 is usually a short, temporary assignment, unlike a permanent job. The meaning can vary depending on context, such as a work 当番, a school 当番 or even a housework 当番.

⚫︎今日の掃除当番は誰ですか？ Translation: Who is on cleaning duty today? ⚫︎私は今週の給食当番です。 Translation: I am on lunch duty this week. ⚫︎彼は夜間の警備当番だった。 Translation: He was on night guard duty.

You use 当番 when you're discussing assigned tasks, responsibilities, or scheduled turns. It's suitable for various settings, including schools, workplaces, communities, and even within families. It's very common to say someone is the 当番 for something. You can inquire about the 当番, describe someone's 当番, or indicate your own 当番 assignment. The particles used will vary depending on the context.

当番 is usually written in kanji as 当番, but you can also write it in hiragana as とうばん. There is no variation in the okurigana.

⚫︎担当 (たんとう): This means "person in charge" or "responsible." It implies a broader and more permanent responsibility. ⚫︎係 (かかり): This can refer to a person in charge of a specific task or a small group. This usually means "in charge" or "person in charge of." ⚫︎役目 (やくめ): This means "role" or "duty," often referring to a specific function or responsibility.

There aren't direct antonyms for 当番, as it is a specific role or duty. However, you could consider words related to being off duty or not having a responsibility. For example: ⚫︎休み (やすみ): "Rest" or "holiday." ⚫︎非番 (ひばん): "Off-duty."

今週のゴミ出し当番は田中さんです。 ・Translation: Mr. Tanaka is on garbage duty this week. ・Explanation: This sentence clearly indicates that Mr. Tanaka has the responsibility of taking out the garbage this week, a specific 当番.

今日の会議の議事録当番は私です。 ・Translation: I am in charge of the minutes for today's meeting. ・Explanation: This illustrates the assignment of a specific task (taking meeting minutes) to a person; in other words, the person has a 当番 role.

The word 当番 is composed of two kanji: 当 (とう) and 番 (ばん). 当 (とう) implies "to hit," "to be appropriate," or "to be assigned." 番 (ばん) means "order," "turn," or "shift." Therefore, the combination signifies being "assigned a turn" or "in charge of a particular duty."