在宅勤務
zaitaku kinmu
In Japanese, work from home is 在宅勤務 (zaitaku kinmu).
This phrase refers to performing professional duties from one's own residence rather than traveling to a physical office.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 在宅勤務 is composed of 在宅 (zaitaku), meaning 'at home' and 勤務 (kinmu), meaning 'service' or 'duty'.
Which one should you use?
While 在宅勤務 is the standard term, rimōto wāku is often the more common way to describe the specific lifestyle or practice in daily speech. Additionally, the formal term テレワーク (telework) is also used to describe this concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create the meaning 'currently working from home' by adding the suffix 中 (chū) to the phrase, resulting in 在宅勤務中.
How do you pronounce it?
zaitaku kinmu
Did you know?
- In many Japanese companies, even if you are using 在宅勤務, you might still be expected to participate in 'virtual' office rituals, such as a morning 'chourei' or greeting, to maintain the feeling of being 'at work'.
- In Japanese corporate culture, the phrase 在宅勤務 is sometimes associated with the word サボる (saboru), which means to slack off or cut class.
- The word 勤務 (kinmu) used in 在宅勤務 is a heavy, formal term often associated with strict corporate duty and official service. It carries a sense of obligation that the English word 'work' sometimes lacks.
Examples in context
- 利用者への連絡方法は、在宅勤務の場合でもメールで行ってください。Please contact the users via email, even in the case of working from home.
- 今週はリモートワークできるから、カフェで仕事をしよう。I can work remotely this week, so let's work at a café.
- 今日は在宅勤務です。Kyou wa zaitaku kinmu desu.I am working from home today.
- 在宅勤務はとても便利です。Zaitaku kinmu wa totemo benri desu.Working from home is very convenient.
- 週に三回は在宅勤務をしています。Shuu ni sankai wa zaitaku kinmu o shite imasu.I work from home three times a week.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about their schedules for tomorrow.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：明日は会社に来ますか？Ashita wa kaisha ni kimasu ka?Are you coming to the office tomorrow?
- 健太 Kenta健太：いいえ、明日は在宅勤務です。Iie, ashita wa zaitaku kinmu desu.No, I'm working from home tomorrow.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：そうなんですね。わかりました。Sō nan desu ne. Wakari mashita.I see. Got it.
- 健太 Kenta健太：何かあればメールをください。Nanika areba mēru o kudasai.Please email me if anything comes up.
