仕事
shigoto[ɕiɡo̞to̞]
The English phrase 'job' can be translated into Japanese as 仕事 (shigoto). Wiktionary also lists ジョブ (jobu) and バイト (baito).
Meaning: economic role for which a person is paid (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 仕事 | shigoto | [ɕiɡo̞to̞] (narrow) |
| ジョブ | jobu | |
| バイト | baito | [ba̠ito̞] (narrow) |
仕事 is a common and versatile word for job that can refer to any type of work, occupation or task. If you wish to refer to a profession or occupation in a more general sense, you can use 職業. To specifically describe the act of finding employment or getting a job, the term 就職 is used.
Which one should you use?
While 仕事 refers to a job or work in general, バイト specifically refers to a part-time job, typically for students or temporary workers.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Additionally, you can add the suffix 中 (chū) to the word to create 仕事中, which means one is currently working or busy with work.
How do you pronounce it?
shigoto
Did you know?
- The word バイト for a part-time job is actually a shortened version of アルバイト, which was borrowed from the German word 'Arbeit'.
- Japanese culture has a specific term 就職 for the act of finding a job, which is treated as a distinct life milestone rather than just a search process.
Examples in context
- 仕事どうなの？How's your job?Tatoeba #169169 by bunbuku, translation #245318 by CK
- 仕事が必要だ。I need a job.Tatoeba #1046077 by bunbuku, translation #436821 by lukaszpp
- 仕事が欲しい。I want a job.Tatoeba #3492794 by arnab, translation #2011274 by CK
- 私はIT業界で仕事をしています。I work in the IT industry.
- 彼は優れた会社に就職しました。He got a job at an excellent company.
- 彼女は医者としての職業に誇りを持っています。She takes pride in her profession as a doctor.
- 今週のバイトのシフトはいつですか？When is your part-time job shift this week?
- 420 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are catching up at a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔君、最近仕事はどう？Hiroto-kun, saikin shigoto wa dou?Hiroto, how is your job lately?
- 大翔 Hiroto忙しいけど、充実しているよ。isogashii kedo, juujitsu shite iru yo.I'm busy, but it's fulfilling.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは良かったね。sore wa yokatta ne.That's good to hear.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんも仕事は順調？Himari-san mo shigoto wa junchou?Is your work also going well, Himari?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “job” translations and entries 仕事, バイト, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries バイト, 仕事, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
