How to Say "Professional" in Japanese

プロ

puro[pɯ̟ɾo̞]

The Japanese word for professional is プロ (puro).

プロ is used to describe someone who is a professional or highly skilled in their field.

Meaning: of, pertaining to, or in accordance with the standards of a profession (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

プロ is a shortened loanword from the English word 'pro'.

The full version often carries a more formal or technical nuance regarding the quality of work.

puro

The term プロ is frequently used to label people who excel at hobbies or games, even when they receive no financial payment for their skills.
While プロ is common, the term プロレス (puroresu) is used specifically for 'professional wrestling', a term that has evolved into its own unique cultural genre in Japan.
The word プロ仕様 (puro shiyō) is used to label 'pro-grade' hardware and tools, blending the English loanword with a native Japanese word for 'specifications'.

君の歌はプロ顔負けだ。
Your singing puts professional singers to shame.
This sentence shows how someone's skill can rival a professional.
Tatoeba #178434 by bunbuku, translation #17286 by papabear
トムはプロの殺し屋だ。
Tom is a professional killer.
This sentence uses the term to describe a professional killer.
Tatoeba #2690784 by tommy_san, translation #2276352 by CK
プロの通訳が必要です。
I need a professional translator.
This sentence shows how to request a professional translator.
Tatoeba #12593237 by small_snow, translation #10296867 by ddnktr
例えば、彼は専門的な知識を持つエンジニアです。
For example, he is an engineer with professional knowledge.
24 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yota and Himari are discussing a high-quality drawing.

陽太 Yota

この絵、本当にプロみたいだね。
Kono e, hontō ni puro mitai da ne.
This drawing looks truly professional, doesn't it?
陽葵 Himari

ありがとう。でも、まだアマチュアだよ。
Arigatō. Demo, mada amachua dayo.
Thank you. But I'm still an amateur.
陽太 Yota

いや、プロの仕事だと思うよ。
Iya, puro no shigoto da to omou yo.
No, I think it's professional work.
陽葵 Himari

そんなに褒めてくれて嬉しいな。
Sonna ni home te kurete ureshii na.
I'm happy that you're praising me so much.

Sources

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