搾取
sakushu[sa̠kɯ̟̊ɕɨ]
The English phrase "exploitation" is translated into Japanese as 搾取 (sakushu).
搾取 is the direct translation for exploitation. While 利用 (riyō) means utilization or use, it can connote exploitation in certain contexts. Similarly, 虐待 (gyakutai) primarily means abuse, but it can imply exploitation when discussing the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals.
Meaning: act of exploiting (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
sakushu
Did you know?
- While 搾取 is used for systemic exploitation, Japanese speakers use the term ブラック企業 ('black company') to describe a workplace that exploits its employees.
- The kanji used in 搾取 includes the radical for 'milk' or 'squeeze', originally referring to the act of milking cattle.
- Japanese has a concept called やりがい ('worth doing'), which is often used by companies to justify long hours that might otherwise be seen as 搾取.
Examples in context
- 資本主義とは人間による人間の搾取である。共産主義はその真逆だ。Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is the exact opposite.Tatoeba #936306 by thyc244, translation #433656 by Clavain
- 社会の弱者が搾取されることは残念です。(しゃかいのじゃくしゃがさくしゅされることはざんねんです。)It is regrettable that the socially disadvantaged are being exploited.
- 労働力の搾取は社会的な問題です。rōdōryoku no sakushu wa shakaiteki na mondai desu.The exploitation of labor is a social issue.
- 不当な搾取を防ぐための法律が必要です。futō na sakushu o fusegu tame no hōritsu ga hitsuyō desu.Laws are needed to prevent unfair exploitation.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are discussing a news article about poor working conditions.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの会社の働き方はひどすぎるよ。Kono kaisha no hatarakikata wa hidosugiru yo.The way people work at this company is too terrible.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に。これは搾取と言ってもいいレベルだね。Hontō ni. Kore wa sakushu to itte mo ii reberu da ne.Really. This is at a level that could be called exploitation.
- 大翔 Hiroto低すぎる給料で長時間働かせているしね。Hikisugiru kyūryō de chōjikan hatarakasete iru shi ne.They make people work long hours for far too low a salary.
- 美咲 Misaki早く改善されるといいな。Hayaku kaizen sareru to ii na.I hope it gets improved soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exploitation” translations and entries 搾取, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
