エンジニア
enjinia
The English word 'engineer' can be translated into Japanese using several terms, most commonly エンジニア (enjinia). Wiktionary also lists 技術者 (gijutsusha) and 技師 (gishi).
Meaning: person engaged in designing, constructing, or maintaining engines or machinery, (more generally) a person qualified or professionally engaged in any branch of engineering, or studying to do so (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| エンジニア | enjinia | |
| 技術者 | gijutsusha | [ɡʲiʑɨt͡sɨ̥ɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 技師 | gishi | [ɡʲiɕi] (narrow) |
In modern, everyday contexts, particularly within the IT and software industries, the loanword エンジニア is standard. For example, the term for a software engineer is ソフトウェアエンジニア.
Which one should you use?
エンジニア is a loanword from English and is commonly used in modern, everyday contexts, especially in the IT and software industries. 技術者 is a more formal, native Japanese term that emphasizes technical skill and is often used in official documents or professional titles. 技師 is a formal term often used for specific professional titles, such as 'civil engineer' or 'mechanical engineer' and can sometimes carry a slightly more traditional or academic nuance than エンジニア.
How do you pronounce it?
enjinia
Did you know?
- Japanese has a distinct concept called モノづくり or 'making things', which is the cultural philosophy that drives the work of a 技術者 beyond simple engineering.
- The word 技 in 技術者 is also the root for words like 'martial arts' (武技), linking technical skill to physical discipline.
- In Japanese job listings, a 'software engineer' is often referred to as a システムエンジニア (system engineer) rather than a ソフトウェアエンジニア.
Examples in context
- 彼は有能な技師です。He is an able engineer.This sentence is useful for describing someone as an able 技師.Tatoeba #99259 by small_snow, translation #304441 by CM
- トムは電気技師です。Tom is an electrical engineer.This sentence shows how to identify someone's specific role as an electrical 技師.Tatoeba #199853 by bunbuku, translation #37055 by CK
- 私はエンジニアです。I'm an engineer.This sentence demonstrates the use of the loanword エンジニア.Tatoeba #3580937 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #397588 by CM
- 私はエンジニアとして働いていますI work as an engineer
- 彼は技術者だよHe is an engineer
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their jobs at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さんは何をしているんですか？Yui-san wa nani o shite iru n desu ka?What do you do, Yui?
- 結衣 Yui私はソフトウェアのエンジニアです。Watashi wa sofutowea no enjinia desu.I am a software engineer.
- 蓮 Renすごいですね、エンジニアは大変そうです。Sugoi desu ne, enjinia wa taihen sou desu.That's amazing, being an engineer looks tough.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんもエンジニアを目指しているんですよね？Ren-san mo enjinia o mezashite iru n desu yo ne?Ren, you are aiming to be an engineer too, right?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “engineer” translations and entries エンジニア, 技術者, 技師, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
