就職した
shūshoku shita
The English phrase "I got a job" is expressed in Japanese as 就職した (shūshoku shita).
This phrase is used to announce that one has found employment or started a new career. While 就職した describes the state of being employed, you might also hear the phrase 就職が決まった, which is often used to announce that a job offer has been officially confirmed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the noun 就職 (shūshoku), which literally means "obtaining employment" or "starting a job", combined with the past tense auxiliary verb した (shita), which means "did".
Which one should you use?
The phrase 就職した focuses on the status of being employed.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 就職した is informal and suitable for casual contexts. To be more polite or formal, for example, when speaking to a teacher, a boss or an acquaintance, you should use the polite form 就職しました.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 就職した uses the past tense auxiliary verb した to indicate that the action of getting the job has been completed.
How do you pronounce it?
shūshoku shita
Did you know?
- In Japan, many students experience shūshoku katsudō, or 'job hunting', which involves wearing a standardized 'recruit suit' of plain black or navy to avoid standing out from other candidates.
- While 就職した means you got a job, the phrase tenshoku is used specifically when you change jobs, as switching companies is historically viewed differently than entering the workforce for the first time.
- In Japan, many people do not say 'I got a job' when they start working, but instead use the term 入社した (nyūsha shita), which literally means 'I entered the company'.
Examples in context
- やっと就職した。Yatto shuushoku shita.I finally got a job.
- ずっと探していたけど、ようやく就職した。Zutto sagashite ita kedo, youyaku shuushoku shita.I had been looking for a long time, but I finally got a job.
Example conversation
Hiyori tells her brother Hinata the good news over the phone.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、私、やっと就職したよ！Hinata, watashi, yatto shuushoku shita yo!Hinata, I finally got a job!
- 陽太 Yota本当かい？おめでとう、陽葵！Hontou kai? Omedetou, Hiyori!Really? Congratulations, Hiyori!
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。すごく嬉しいの。Arigatou. Sugoku ureshii no.Thank you. I'm so happy.
- 陽太 Yota今度、お祝いに食事に行こう。Kondo, oiwai ni shokuji ni ikou.Let's go out for a meal to celebrate soon.
