専務（せんむ、senmu）
- senior managing director

The Japanese word 専務 (せんむ, *senmu*) refers to the position of "Managing Director" or "Senior Managing Director" in a Japanese company. It's a high-ranking executive position, typically below the president (社長, *shachou*) and the vice president (副社長, *fuku-shachou*), but above department heads. The 専務 often has significant responsibilities for overseeing various departments or aspects of the company's operations. The role involves making important decisions, managing subordinates, and contributing to the overall strategic direction of the company.

⚫︎ 彼は専務として、会社の財務を担当しています。 Translation: He is in charge of the company's finances as a Managing Director. ⚫︎ 専務は、新しいプロジェクトの承認を行いました。 Translation: The Managing Director approved the new project. ⚫︎ 専務の指示に従って、新しい方針が実施された。 Translation: New policies were implemented according to the Managing Director's instructions.

You would use 専務 when referring to or addressing someone in this specific high-level management role. It is common to use the title followed by the person's last name (e.g., 田中専務 - *Tanaka senmu* - "Managing Director Tanaka"). You might also use it in formal business conversations, presentations, or company announcements.

⚫︎ The word is typically written in kanji as 専務, with the reading せんむ (hiragana). ⚫︎ There are no variations in the way 専務 is written. The okurigana is fixed.

⚫︎ There isn't a direct single synonym for 専務 in Japanese, as the role is quite specific. However, depending on the context, you could use phrases that describe similar responsibilities. ⚫︎ Similar roles: 常務 (*joumu* - "Executive Director") is another high-ranking executive. However, *joumu* is generally below *senmu*. ⚫︎ Other words with a similar meaning but in different business context: マネージャー (*maneja* - "manager") and 部長 (*buchou* - "department head").

⚫︎ The position of 専務 is a high-ranking executive role. Therefore, a direct antonym would not exist. Lower-level positions in the corporate structure are typically the contrast: ⚫︎ For instance, 社員 (*shain* - "employee"). ⚫︎ Or, 平社員 (*hirashain* - "ordinary employee").

山田専務は、来週の会議に出席します。 Translation: Managing Director Yamada will attend next week's meeting. Explanation: This sentence simply states that Managing Director Yamada will be present at a meeting.

その新しいマーケティング戦略は、専務の承認を得てから実行に移されました。 Translation: That new marketing strategy was put into action after getting approval from the Managing Director. Explanation: This sentence explains that the new marketing strategy was approved by the Managing Director before being implemented.

The word 専務 is a compound word formed from two kanji: 専 (*sen*) which means "exclusive" or "specialty", and 務 (*mu*) which means "duty" or "business". Therefore, the literal meaning would be something like "specialized business" or "exclusive duty". It reflects the role's focus on specific areas of the business and the responsibility that comes with it.