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B1 verb 10 min read

管理する

kanri suru
Examples 管理する in 30 Seconds
Explanation 管理する in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic use of 'kanri suru,' which is usually related to things you can touch or simple concepts like time. While this word is a bit advanced for absolute beginners, you might see it on signs or in simple instructions. Think of it as 'taking care of' or 'looking after' something in an organized way. For example, 'managing your money' or 'managing your time.' At this level, just remember that it is a 'Suru' verb, so you add 'suru' to the noun 'kanri' to make it an action. You don't need to worry about complex business meanings yet. Just know that if you see 'kanri,' someone is in charge of something. Common phrases you might encounter are 'jikan no kanri' (time management) or 'okane no kanri' (money management). Even at A1, Japanese people value being organized, so showing that you understand the concept of 'kanri' is a good way to show you are serious about your studies and your responsibilities. Try to use it in very simple sentences like 'I manage my time' (Watashi wa jikan wo kanri shimasu).
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'kanri suru' in more specific contexts like health and daily routines. A very common phrase at this level is 'taichou kanri' (managing your physical condition). In Japan, if you catch a cold, people might say you need to 'manage your health' better. This isn't an insult; it's a common way of saying you should take care of yourself. You can also use it for managing your homework or your schedule. At A2, you should be able to use the polite form 'kanri shimasu' and the negative form 'kanri shimasen.' You might also see the word 'kanri-nin' (manager/caretaker) if you live in an apartment. This is the person who looks after the building. Understanding this word helps you navigate daily life in Japan, especially when dealing with staff at gyms, libraries, or apartment complexes. You should practice saying things like 'I manage my schedule with my phone' (Sumaho de sukejyu-ru wo kanri shimasu). This level is about connecting the word to your own personal life and the immediate environment around you.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'kanri suru' in professional and more abstract contexts. This is the level where the word really becomes useful. You should understand the difference between 'kanri suru' and 'keiei suru' (running a business). B1 learners should be able to talk about managing projects, managing data, or managing a small team. You will also encounter the passive form 'kanri sarete iru' (is being managed) and the potential form 'kanri dekiru' (can manage). You should be comfortable using adverbs like 'tekisetsu ni' (appropriately) or 'genjuu ni' (strictly) to describe how something is managed. For example, 'Managing confidential information strictly is important' (Kimitsu jouhou wo genjuu ni kanri suru koto wa taisetsu desu). At this level, you might also start hearing about 'crisis management' (kiki kanri) in the news. You should be able to explain your responsibilities at work using this word. It's a key word for anyone working in a Japanese environment or interacting with Japanese organizations.
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'kanri suru' and its related compounds. You will encounter terms like 'kanri-shakai' (a managed society) and discuss the pros and cons of high levels of social oversight. You should be able to use the word in complex sentences involving causative and passive constructions, such as 'The manager made the staff manage their own hours' (Tenchou wa sutaffu ni jibun no jikan wo kanri saseta). You will also notice the word in more technical fields like 'shigen kanri' (resource management) or 'zaiko kanri' (inventory management). At B2, you should be able to distinguish 'kanri' from synonyms like 'unei' (operation) and 'tousei' (control/regulation) in formal writing or debates. You can discuss the efficiency of different management styles. Your ability to use 'kanri suru' should extend to discussing societal issues, such as how the government manages public data or how companies manage environmental impact. You are moving beyond simple 'administration' into the philosophy of how systems are maintained and controlled.
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At the C1 level, your use of 'kanri suru' should be sophisticated and precise. You will encounter the word in academic papers, legal documents, and high-level business strategy discussions. You should understand its use in terms like 'risk management' (risuku kanri) and 'asset management' (shisan kanri) within a global financial context. You will be able to appreciate the subtle connotations of 'kanri' in literature, where it might be used to describe an oppressive atmosphere of over-regulation. You should be able to use the word to describe complex systems of governance and oversight. For example, you might discuss the 'kanri-taisei' (management system) of a multi-national corporation or the 'kanri-ken' (management rights) in a legal dispute. At this level, you are expected to use the word with perfect grammatical accuracy and in the appropriate register, whether you are giving a formal presentation or writing a technical report. You understand that 'kanri' is not just about doing tasks, but about the logical and systematic maintenance of order and value within a complex framework.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'kanri suru' and can use it with total flexibility across all domains. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its deep roots in the Japanese concept of social order and institutional responsibility. You can engage in high-level philosophical debates about the limits of 'kanri' in a free society or the role of 'kanri' in the age of artificial intelligence and big data. You can use the word to describe the most minute technical processes or the most vast geopolitical strategies. You are comfortable with archaic or highly specialized variations of the term and can use it in creative writing to evoke specific moods or themes. Whether you are discussing the management of a country's nuclear waste, the management of a delicate diplomatic relationship, or the management of one's own psychological state in extreme conditions, you use 'kanri suru' with precision, authority, and an awareness of all its cultural and linguistic layers. You are a master of the word's nuances, recognizing when it implies care and when it implies cold, mechanical control.
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Examples

管理する in 30 Seconds

  • Kanri suru is a versatile verb meaning to manage, supervise, or administer systems, resources, and personal health.
  • It is a 'Suru' verb, making it easy to conjugate and combine with various nouns like 'jikan' (time) or 'zaiko' (inventory).
  • Unlike the English 'manage to do,' it is strictly about oversight and maintenance, not achieving a difficult task.
  • It is essential for professional Japanese, used daily in business, IT, real estate, and healthcare contexts.

The Japanese verb 管理する (kanri suru) is a versatile and essential term that primarily translates to 'to manage,' 'to supervise,' or 'to administer.' While it shares some overlap with the English word 'manage,' its Japanese usage is deeply rooted in the concept of maintaining order, oversight, and control over systems, objects, or people. At its core, it combines the kanji 管 (pipe/tube/control) and 理 (logic/reason/management), suggesting a process of directing things through a logical or structured channel. In a Japanese societal context, 'kanri' implies a high level of responsibility and the act of ensuring that something remains in its optimal state. This could range from a landlord managing a building to an individual managing their own health or time. Unlike the English 'manage,' which can sometimes mean 'to cope' or 'to succeed in doing something difficult' (e.g., 'I managed to finish'), 管理する is strictly about the act of administration and oversight. It is used in professional settings to describe project management, in technical settings for server or data administration, and in personal life for self-discipline.

Professional Context
In a business environment, this word refers to the systematic oversight of resources, employees, and deadlines. A manager is a 'kanrishoku' (管理職), and their primary duty is to ensure that the organization functions smoothly without hitches.
Personal Context
Individuals often use this for 'jiko-kanri' (self-management). This includes managing one's health (taichou-kanri), managing one's time (jikan-kanri), or managing personal finances (okane no kanri).
Technical Context
In IT, it is the standard term for 'administering' systems. Database management or server management always uses this verb to denote the maintenance and security of the system.

彼はプロジェクトの進捗を厳しく管理する必要がある。(He needs to strictly manage the progress of the project.)

このマンションは、大手の不動産会社が管理することになっている。(This apartment building is managed by a major real estate company.)

パスワードを適切に管理することはセキュリティの基本だ。(Properly managing passwords is the basis of security.)

プロのスポーツ選手は、食事を徹底的に管理する。(Professional athletes manage their diets thoroughly.)

貴重品は自分で責任を持って管理するようにしてください。(Please take responsibility for managing your valuables yourself.)

When you use 管理する, you are communicating that there is a system in place and that you are the one ensuring the system follows its rules. It implies a sense of duty and vigilance. For instance, if you are 'managing' a forest, you are ensuring the trees are healthy, the paths are clear, and the ecosystem is balanced. If you are 'managing' a team, you are ensuring everyone knows their tasks and meets their deadlines. It is a word of order, structure, and reliability.

Using 管理する correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure as a 'Suru' verb. It follows the standard pattern of [Noun] + を + 管理する. The noun can be anything that requires oversight, maintenance, or systematic control. In passive forms, such as 管理される (to be managed), it often appears in contexts where someone feels overly controlled or where a system is being operated by an external force. In potential form, 管理できる (can manage), it is frequently used in job descriptions or performance reviews to indicate capability. The continuous form 管理している (is managing) is perhaps the most common, as management is typically an ongoing process rather than a one-time action. You will see it used with adverbs like 厳重に (genjuu ni - strictly), 適切に (tekisetsu ni - appropriately), or 一元的に (ichigenteki ni - centrally). These adverbs help define the 'style' of management being applied. For example, 'strictly managing' implies a lack of freedom, whereas 'appropriately managing' implies efficiency and care.

Object of Management
The object (marked by を) is usually an abstract noun like 'time,' 'health,' or 'progress,' or a physical noun like 'building,' 'money,' or 'inventory.'
Passive Usage
Used when the focus is on the thing being managed. 'このデータはクラウドで管理されている' (This data is managed in the cloud).
Causative Usage
'管理させる' (to make someone manage). Often used in leadership contexts where tasks are delegated.

健康を管理するために、毎日ジョギングをしています。(I jog every day to manage my health.)

彼は部下を管理する能力に長けている。(He excels in the ability to manage his subordinates.)

在庫を管理するシステムを導入した。(We introduced a system to manage inventory.)

In more advanced contexts, you might hear 管理が行き届いている (kanri ga ikitodoite iru), which means 'management is thorough' or 'well-maintained.' Conversely, 管理がずさんだ (kanri ga zuzan da) means management is sloppy or careless. These expressions are very common in reviews of hotels, restaurants, or public facilities. Understanding these nuances allows you to describe the quality of the oversight, not just the act itself. In the digital age, 'kanri suru' is also the go-to word for managing social media accounts, digital files, and online security. It is a word that has evolved from physical bamboo tubes to cloud-based server farms, yet the core meaning of 'logical oversight' remains unchanged.

You will encounter 管理する in almost every facet of Japanese life, particularly where organization and responsibility are paramount. In a Japanese office, you will hear it during morning meetings (chourei) when discussing project timelines or departmental resources. The person in charge of a specific task is the 'tantousha,' but the person who oversees the whole operation is the 'kanrisha.' In a residential setting, you will see signs in apartment lobbies mentioning the 'kanri-nin' (caretaker/manager) or the 'kanri-gaisha' (management company). These are the people you contact if the elevator breaks or if there is a noise complaint. In schools, teachers 'kanri' the students' attendance and grades. In hospitals, nurses 'kanri' the patients' medication and vital signs. Even in nature, national parks are 'kanri' by the government to preserve their beauty. The word is ubiquitous because Japanese culture places a high premium on order and the prevention of 'meiwaku' (trouble/inconvenience) through meticulous preparation and oversight.

At the Office
'機密情報を厳重に管理してください' (Please manage confidential information strictly). This is a standard security reminder in any Japanese corporation.
In Public Facilities
'この公園は市が管理しています' (This park is managed by the city). You will see this on signs in parks, libraries, and community centers.
In Personal Health
'体調管理に気をつけてください' (Please take care to manage your physical condition/health). This is a very common parting phrase, especially during the change of seasons or flu season.

「パスワードの管理はどうしていますか？」「専用のアプリを使って管理するようにしています。」('How do you manage your passwords?' 'I make it a point to manage them using a dedicated app.')

If you watch Japanese dramas, especially those set in schools or hospitals, you'll notice that 'kanri' is often used to describe the tension between freedom and control. A 'kanri-kyouiku' (managed education) system is a common topic of debate, referring to an education style that is seen as too rigid or controlling. In essence, whenever there is a system that needs to be kept in check, or a resource that needs to be preserved, 管理する is the word that will be used to describe that action. It is a word of adult responsibility and professional competence.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 管理する is using it to mean 'to manage to do something.' In English, we say 'I managed to catch the train,' meaning we succeeded despite a challenge. In Japanese, you cannot use 管理する for this. Instead, you would use expressions like なんとか〜できた (nantoka ... dekita) or 〜することに成功した (seikou shita). Another common error is confusing 管理 (kanri) with 経営 (keiei). While both can be translated as 'management,' 'keiei' is for running a business (think CEO level), while 'kanri' is for administering the operations (think Manager level). If you say you 'kanri' a company, it sounds like you are just looking after the building or the files, not leading the company's strategy. Additionally, learners sometimes use 支配する (shihai suru) when they mean 'manage.' 'Shihai suru' means 'to dominate' or 'to rule over,' which has a much more aggressive and negative connotation than the neutral, professional 'kanri suru.'

Mistake: 'I managed to finish'
Incorrect: 宿題を管理して終わらせた。 Correct: なんとか宿題を終わらせた。
Mistake: 'Managing a company' (Strategy)
Incorrect: 会社を管理している。 (Sounds like facility management). Correct: 会社を経営している。
Mistake: 'Controlling people' (Domination)
Incorrect: 彼は友達を管理している。 (Sounds like he treats them like inventory). Correct: 彼は友達を支配しようとしている (He tries to dominate them).

❌ 私はやっと電車を管理した。(I finally managed the train - Nonsense in Japanese.)
✅ 私はやっと電車に間に合った。(I finally made it to the train.)

Another nuance is the use of 管理 for personal relationships. While you can 'kanri' your subordinates in a professional sense, 'kanri-suru' your partner or friends sounds extremely possessive and cold, as if you are treating them like objects or data points. Always use 'kanri' for things that *should* be organized, like schedules, money, and health, rather than for the organic flow of human relationships. Lastly, remember that 'kanri' is a 'Suru' verb; forgetting the 'suru' makes it a noun, which is used for titles (Management) but doesn't function as an action.

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for different types of management and oversight. Depending on the context, you might want to choose a more specific word than 管理する. For example, if you are talking about operating a business or a website on a day-to-day basis, 運営する (unei suru) is often better. If you are supervising people to ensure they are doing their jobs correctly, 監督する (kantoku suru)—the word for a movie director or sports coach—is appropriate. If you are 'handling' or 'dealing with' a situation, 処理する (shori suru) might be the right fit. For large-scale coordination of multiple departments, 統括する (toukatsu suru) is used. Understanding these distinctions will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise. 管理する is the broad, default term, but the others provide the necessary 'flavor' for specific scenarios.

管理 (Kanri) vs 運営 (Unei)
'Kanri' is about maintenance and keeping things in order (e.g., managing a building). 'Unei' is about the active operation and running of something (e.g., running a festival or a website).
管理 (Kanri) vs 経営 (Keiei)
'Kanri' is operational (managing the parts). 'Keiei' is strategic (managing the whole business and its growth).
管理 (Kanri) vs 監督 (Kantoku)
'Kanri' is administrative. 'Kantoku' is supervisory and instructional (like a coach or a foreman).

イベントの運営はボランティアが行う。(The operation of the event is handled by volunteers.)

映画を監督するのは大変な仕事だ。(Directing/Supervising a movie is a tough job.)

In summary, choose 管理する when the focus is on oversight, administration, and keeping things organized. Choose 運営する for active operations, 経営する for business leadership, and 監督する for direct supervision of people's performance. By mastering these distinctions, you will be able to navigate Japanese professional environments with much greater ease and accuracy.

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Examples by Level

1

時間を管理します。

I manage my time.

Basic [Noun] + を + 管理します structure.

2

お金を管理してください。

Please manage your money.

Using the 'te-form' for a polite request.

3

彼はパスワードを管理しています。

He is managing his passwords.

Continuous form (~te iru) shows ongoing management.

4

この部屋を管理しますか？

Do you manage this room?

Question form of the verb.

5

健康を管理しましょう。

Let's manage our health.

Volitional form (~mashou) for a suggestion.

6

スケジュールを管理するのは難しいです。

Managing a schedule is difficult.

Using 'no wa' to turn the verb into a subject.

7

毎日、自分の持ち物を管理します。

I manage my belongings every day.

Using 'mainichi' to show habit.

8

だれがこれを管理しますか？

Who manages this?

Using the question word 'dare' (who).

1

スマホでスケジュールを管理しています。

I manage my schedule with my smartphone.

Using the particle 'de' to indicate the tool.

2

体調を管理するために、よく寝ます。

I sleep well in order to manage my health.

'~tame ni' expresses purpose.

3

父はマンションを管理する仕事をしています。

My father has a job managing an apartment building.

Relative clause: 'mansion wo kanri suru' modifies 'shigoto'.

4

このアプリは写真を管理するのに便利です。

This app is convenient for managing photos.

'~no ni' indicates the purpose or use case.

5

図書室の本は先生が管理しています。

The teacher manages the books in the library.

Topic marker 'wa' focuses on the books.

6

自分のお金をしっかり管理できるようになりたいです。

I want to become able to manage my money properly.

Potential form 'dekiru' + 'ni naritai' (want to become able to).

7

犬の健康を管理するのは飼い主の責任です。

It is the owner's responsibility to manage the dog's health.

Possessive 'no' and noun phrase 'sekinin' (responsibility).

8

ファイルをフォルダに分けて管理してください。

Please manage files by dividing them into folders.

Te-form 'wakete' shows the method.

1

会社は個人情報を厳重に管理しなければなりません。

The company must manage personal information strictly.

'~nakereba narimasen' indicates obligation.

2

プロジェクトの進捗を管理するツールを導入しました。

We introduced a tool to manage the progress of the project.

Noun 'tsu-ru' (tool) modified by the verb phrase.

3

彼は多くの部下を管理する立場にあります。

He is in a position to manage many subordinates.

'~tachiba ni aru' means to be in a position.

4

このシステムは在庫を自動的に管理します。

This system manages inventory automatically.

Adverb 'jidouteki ni' (automatically).

5

サーバーを管理するエンジニアを募集しています。

We are looking for an engineer to manage the servers.

Relative clause modifying 'enjinia'.

6

感情を管理することは、リーダーにとって重要です。

Managing emotions is important for a leader.

'~ni totte' means 'for / from the perspective of'.

7

マンションの管理費が来月から上がります。

The management fee for the apartment will go up from next month.

'Kanri-hi' is a compound noun meaning management fee.

8

自分のタスクを適切に管理することで、残業を減らせます。

By managing your tasks appropriately, you can reduce overtime.

'~koto de' indicates the means or method.

1

政府は河川の流量を24時間体制で管理している。

The government manages the river flow on a 24-hour basis.

Formal 'te-iru' ending.

2

危機管理能力が問われる事態となった。

It became a situation where crisis management ability is questioned.

'Kiki-kanri' (crisis management) is a key B2 term.

3

この薬は医師の指導のもとで管理されるべきだ。

This medicine should be managed under the guidance of a doctor.

'~no moto de' (under) and '~beki da' (should).

4

資産を効果的に管理するためのアドバイスを求める。

I seek advice for managing assets effectively.

'Shisan' (assets) and 'koukateki ni' (effectively).

5

品質管理を徹底することで、顧客の信頼を得る。

By being thorough with quality management, we gain customer trust.

'Hinshitsu-kanri' (quality management).

6

彼は自己管理ができていないと批判された。

He was criticized for not being able to manage himself.

Passive 'hihan sareta' (was criticized).

7

データの管理体制を見直す必要がある。

It is necessary to review the data management system.

'Minaosu' (review/re-examine).

8

この森は国によって厳格に管理されている。

This forest is strictly managed by the state.

'~ni yotte' (by) indicates the agent in a passive sentence.

1

情報の流出を防ぐため、アクセス権限を厳密に管理する。

To prevent information leakage, access permissions are strictly managed.

'Genmitsu ni' (strictly/rigorously).

2

多国籍企業における労務管理の複雑さは想像を絶する。

The complexity of labor management in multinational corporations is beyond imagination.

'Roumu-kanri' (labor/personnel management).

3

著作権を適切に管理することは、クリエイターの権利を守ることだ。

Appropriately managing copyrights is about protecting creators' rights.

Nominalized phrases connected by 'da'.

4

その都市は高度なインフラ管理システムを導入している。

The city has introduced an advanced infrastructure management system.

Compound 'infra-kanri' (infrastructure management).

5

彼はファンドマネージャーとして、膨大な資金を管理している。

As a fund manager, he manages a vast amount of capital.

'~toshite' (as/in the capacity of).

6

野生動物の個体数を管理するための調査が行われた。

A survey was conducted to manage the population of wild animals.

'Kotaisu' (population count of animals).

7

この建物は歴史的建造物として、自治体が管理・保存している。

As a historical building, the local government manages and preserves it.

Pairing verbs 'kanri' and 'hozon' (preservation).

8

リスクを管理しきれず、プロジェクトは失敗に終わった。

Unable to fully manage the risks, the project ended in failure.

'~kirenai' (unable to do completely).

1

国家の命運を左右する核廃棄物の管理は、極めて慎重に行われるべきだ。

The management of nuclear waste, which affects the fate of the nation, should be carried out extremely cautiously.

Complex sentence with relative clauses and moral obligation.

2

ビッグデータを用いた監視社会における、個人のプライバシー管理の在り方が問われている。

In a surveillance society using big data, the nature of individual privacy management is being questioned.

'~no ari-kata' (the way things should be / the nature of).

3

彼は自己の精神状態を極限まで管理し、過酷な環境を生き抜いた。

He managed his own mental state to the limit and survived the harsh environment.

'Kyokugen made' (to the extreme limit).

4

法的な管理権限の所在を巡って、激しい法廷闘争が繰り広げられた。

A fierce courtroom battle unfolded over the location of legal management authority.

'~wo megutte' (concerning / surrounding).

5

組織の肥大化に伴い、一元的な管理が困難になってきている。

With the bloating of the organization, centralized management is becoming difficult.

'~ni tomonai' (along with / as a result of).

6

生態系のバランスを維持するためには、外来種の管理が不可欠である。

To maintain the balance of the ecosystem, management of invasive species is indispensable.

'Fukaketsu' (indispensable).

7

デジタルアーカイブの管理手法は、技術の進歩とともに常に刷新されなければならない。

Management methods for digital archives must be constantly renewed along with technological progress.

'Sashin sareru' (to be renovated/renewed).

8

高度に管理された社会においては、個人の自律性が失われる懸念がある。

In a highly managed society, there is a concern that individual autonomy may be lost.

'Kenen ga aru' (there is a concern).

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