残業
zangyō[d͡zã̠ŋʲɡʲo̞ː]
In Japanese, overtime is 残業 (zangyō).
The term 残業 is used to refer to exceeding regular working hours. If you want to refer specifically to the extra wages earned from this work, you can use the term 残業代. Additionally, the term 遅く can be used to express the idea of working late.
Meaning: exceeding regular working hours (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 残業 is composed of the kanji 残 (remaining/leftover) and 業 (work/business), literally meaning "remaining work".
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 残業 as a verb, you must add the verb する (to do) to the noun, forming 残業する.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [zangyō].
Did you know?
- In Japanese corporate culture, the phrase サービス残業 (service zangyō) refers to 'unpaid overtime' where employees work for free as a perceived way to show loyalty.
- Japan has a specific word karōshi which means 'death from overwork'. This term is legally recognized and can be used in insurance claims and court cases.
- In some traditional corporate cultures, it was considered rude to leave the office before the boss, even if your 残業 was finished.
Examples in context
- くそっ、また残業だ。Rats! I've got to work overtime again.This sentence is useful for expressing frustration about having to work overtime again using 残業.Tatoeba #225684 by small_snow, translation #63020 by CM
- 残業はしたくないよ。I don't want to work overtime.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to work overtime using 残業.Tatoeba #8867949 by bunbuku, translation #6261026 by CK
- トムはよく残業をする。Tom often works overtime.This sentence is useful for describing someone who frequently works overtime using 残業.Tatoeba #10910918 by SomeHungryBois, translation #7981411 by CK
- 今日は残業しなければなりません。I have to work overtime today.
- 会社は延長労働を実施しています。The company enforces overtime work.
- 仕事づめで残業しないといけない。I'm buried in work and have to do overtime.
- 最近めっちゃ残業しとるわ。I've been doing a lot of overtime recently.
- 何時間残業しましたか？How many hours of overtime did you work?
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about their work schedule at the end of the day.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さんは今日、残業をしますか？Youta-san wa kyou, zangyou o shimasu ka?Are you working overtime today, Youta?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、少し残業をする予定です。Hai, sukoshi zangyou o suru yotei desu.Yes, I plan to do a little overtime.
- 陽葵 Himari無理をしないでくださいね。Muri o shinaide kudasai ne.Please don't overdo it.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。気をつけます。Arigatou gozaimasu. Ki o tsukemasu.Thank you. I'll be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 残業, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
