銀行員
ginkōin[ɡʲĩŋko̞ːĩɴ]
The English phrase "bank employee" is translated into Japanese as 銀行員 (ginkōin).
銀行員 is a common and standard term used to describe anyone employed by a bank, regardless of their specific role or rank.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 銀行 (ginkō), meaning 'bank' and 員 (in), meaning 'member' or 'employee'.
Which one should you use?
While 銀行員 is the standard term for a bank employee, you may encounter 銀行の職員 (gin'kō no shokuin), which translates to 'bank staff' or 'bank personnel'. For a more colloquial way to say 'bank person', you can use 銀行の人 (ginkō no hito).
How does it change in a sentence?
銀行員 is a noun and does not change its form for singular or plural usage.
How do you pronounce it?
ginkōin
Did you know?
- The word 銀行 (bank) literally means 'silver row'. This reflects the historical period when silver was the primary currency and banks were organized in rows of shops.
- Japanese people may use the term 銀行員 as a social shorthand to imply someone is conservative, punctual and meticulously dressed in a 'recruit suit'.
- When introducing themselves, a 銀行員 will often use the humble term 弊社 (heisha) to refer to their bank, which translates to 'our humble company'.
Examples in context
- 私は銀行員です。I'm a bank employee.This sentence is useful for stating your profession using 銀行員.Tatoeba #3221181 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #4850092 by Serveto
- お客様を脅迫して契約をサインさせるとは、銀行員として許すべからざる行為である。Forcing customers to sign a contract by using threats is an unforgivable act as a bank employee.This sentence uses 銀行員 to describe an unforgivable act committed in the capacity of a bank employee.Tatoeba #6766278 by andresangelini, translation #6766296 by andresangelini
- 私の兄は銀行員です。Watashi no ani wa ginkouin desu.My older brother is a bank employee.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are talking about their future careers.
- 陽太 Yota結衣は将来、何になりたい？Yui wa shōrai, nani ni naritai?Yui, what do you want to be in the future?
- 結衣 Yui私は銀行員になりたいと思っているよ。Watashi wa ginkōin ni naritai to omotte iru yo.I'm thinking I want to become a bank employee.
- 陽太 Yota銀行員は大変そうだけど、かっこいいよね。Ginkōin wa taihen sō dakedo, kakkoii yo ne.Being a bank employee seems tough, but it's cool.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう。頑張って勉強するね。Arigatō. Ganbatte benkyō suru ne.Thank you. I'll study hard.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 銀行員, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
