従業員
jūgyōin[d͡ʑɨːɡʲo̞ːĩɴ]
In Japanese, the English phrase 'employee' is translated as 従業員 (jūgyōin). If unsure, use 従業員. Wiktionary also lists 雇員 (koin) and 勤務員 (kinmuin).
Meaning: person who provides labor to a company or another person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 従業員 | jūgyōin | [d͡ʑɨːɡʲo̞ːĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 雇員 | koin | [ko̞ĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 勤務員 | kinmuin | [kʲĩmːɯ̟ĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 使用人 | shiyōin | [ɕijo̞ːɲ̟ĩɴ] (narrow) |
The term 従業員 is the most common and neutral way to refer to staff members in professional, legal and general business contexts. Other terms like 雇員, 勤務員 or 使用人 also exist, but their specific applications vary.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 従業員 is composed of three parts: 従 meaning to follow or obey, 業 meaning business or work and 員 meaning member or person.
Which one should you use?
While 従業員 is the standard term for an employee in a business context, 使用人 refers more specifically to a domestic servant or a person employed to perform manual labor for a household. Other specialized terms include 事務員, which refers specifically to office workers or clerical staff.
How do you pronounce it?
jūgyōin
Did you know?
- While 従業員 is the neutral term, Japanese employees often refer to themselves as 社員 ('company member'), emphasizing their belonging to the organization rather than their status as a hired worker.
- The term 使用人 is constructed from 使用 meaning 'use' and 人 meaning 'person', which creates an unintended nuance of being a 'person who is used'.
- The term 使用人 for 'employee' is so strongly associated with domestic servants that using it in a modern office could be perceived as an insult.
Examples in context
- 彼はその従業員を解雇した。He dismissed the employee.This sentence is useful for describing the dismissal of an employee.Tatoeba #112678 by bunbuku, translation #290998 by rul
- 賃金に対する従業員の不満は、経営者には耳が痛かろう。The claim from the employee about wages may be abrasive to the employer.This sentence shows how an employee's dissatisfaction regarding wages can affect an employer.Tatoeba #11307564 by Tanikaz, translation #11307566 by Tanikaz
- 従業員の提案や懸念事項に注意深く耳を傾けることは、潜在的な危機を回避するのに役立つ。Listening carefully to employee suggestions and concerns is helpful in avoiding potential crises.This sentence is useful for discussing how listening to 従業員 can help avoid potential crises.Tatoeba #11045521 by KK_kaku_, translation #11209059 by hcougar
- Watashi wa shain desu (私は社員です)I am an employee.
- Kare wa tokyo no kaishain desu (彼は東京の会社員です)He is an employee in Tokyo.
- Kanojo wa daigaku no shokuin desu (彼女は大学の職員です)She is a university employee.
- Kanojo wa jimuin desu (彼女は事務員です)She is an office worker.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about their company's new policy.
- 陽太 Yota新しい制度は、全ての従業員に影響します。Atarashii seido wa, subete no juugyouin ni eikyou shimasu.The new system will affect all employees.
- 結衣 Yuiええ、もっと福利厚生が充実するといいですね。Ee, motto fukuri kousei ga juujitsu suru to ii desu ne.Yes, I hope the employee benefits get better.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんは、何か要望はありますか？Yui-san wa, nani ka youbou wa arimasu ka?Yui, do you have any requests?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、もっと柔軟な働き方がしたいです。Hai, motto juunann na hatarakikata ga shitai desu.Yes, I want more flexible working styles.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “employee” translations and entries 従業員, 雇員, 勤務員, 使用人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 使用人, 従業員, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
