雇う
yatou[ja̠to̞ɯ̟]
The Japanese verb for 'to hire' is 雇う (yatou). Wiktionary also lists 雇用する (koyō suru).
Meaning: to employ (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 雇う | yatou | [ja̠to̞ɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 雇用する | koyō suru |
To express the act of employing someone, you can use 雇う or 雇用する. If you are referring to the person or entity performing the hiring, the noun 雇い主 is used for 'employer'.
Which one should you use?
While 雇う is the standard, everyday verb for hiring someone, 雇用する is a more formal, technical term used in legal or business contexts, whereas 採用する means to hire or to recruit.
How does it change in a sentence?
The passive form 雇われた is commonly used to say someone 'was hired' by a company.
How do you pronounce it?
yatou
Did you know?
- In Japanese corporate culture, the phrase 終身雇用 (shūshin koyō) refers to 'lifetime employment', a traditional system where a company hires a graduate for their entire career.
- The word 雇い主 (yatoinushi) contains the character for 'master' or 'owner' 主, reflecting an older social structure of patronage.
- In Japan, the 'hiring season' for new graduates is strictly timed to coincide with the start of the fiscal year in April, rather than after university graduation in June.
Examples in context
- 今は新しい人を雇うことが出来ない。We can't hire anyone new right now.This sentence shows how to express the inability to hire new people.Tatoeba #10919716 by SomeHungryBois, translation #2990575 by CK
- 私は、英語を話せる人を雇うつもりだ。I plan to hire someone who can speak English.This sentence demonstrates a plan to hire someone with a specific skill.Tatoeba #162294 by bunbuku, translation #489449 by CK
- 私たちはトムを雇うべきだと思います。I think we should hire Tom.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion on whether someone should be hired.Tatoeba #2121377 by bunbuku, translation #1887769 by CK
- 私たちは新しい従業員を雇いたいです。We want to hire new employees.
- 弊社は有能な候補者を採用するつもりです。Our company intends to hire capable candidates.
- あの会社、最近新しいスタッフを雇ったみたい。That company seems to have hired new staff recently.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A conversation between two colleagues about staffing for a new project.
- 蓮 Ren新しいスタッフを雇う必要がありますね。Atarashii sutaffu o yatou hitsuyou ga arimasu ne.We need to hire new staff, don't we?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、蓮さんの言う通りです。Hai, Ren-san no iu toori desu.Yes, it is exactly as you say, Ren.
- 蓮 Ren来月までに誰かを雇いたいです。Raigetsu made ni dareka o yataitai desu.I want to hire someone by next month.
- 結衣 Yui私も手伝いますね。Watashi mo tetsudaimasu ne.I will help you with that, too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hire” translations and entries 雇う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
