Translation guide
In Japanese workplaces, 'annual leave' is most commonly expressed as 年次有給休暇, often shortened to 年休 or 有給. The choice depends on formality and context. Note that taking leave is often phrased as 'getting' or 'using' the leave, and cultural norms around requesting leave are important.
The standard, formal term for paid annual leave as a legal entitlement.
The full legal term for annual paid leave. Used in official documents, company rules, and formal contexts.
年次有給休暇の取得を促進しています。
We encourage employees to take their annual leave.
Common abbreviation of 年次有給休暇. Widely used in workplace conversation and internal documents.
来月、年休を取る予定です。
I plan to take annual leave next month.
Short for 有給休暇 (paid leave). Often used in casual conversation, but can refer to any paid leave, not just annual leave. Context usually makes it clear.
明日、有給使っていい？
Can I use a paid day off tomorrow?
Paid leave in general. Can include annual leave, sick leave, etc. Often used interchangeably with 年次有給休暇 in less formal settings.
有給休暇が10日残っています。
I have 10 days of paid leave left.
How to say you are taking or using your annual leave.
The most natural way to say 'take annual leave'. 取る (とる) means 'to take'.
夏に年休を取って旅行に行きます。
I'll take annual leave in the summer and go on a trip.
Literally 'use paid leave'. Very common in casual speech.
明日有給使って休みます。
I'll use a paid day off and take tomorrow off.
Means 'to use up annual leave'. Often used when encouraging employees to take all their leave before it expires.
年度末までに年休を消化してください。
Please use up your annual leave by the end of the fiscal year.
How to ask for annual leave in a workplace setting.
Formal way to say 'apply for annual leave'. Used in written requests or formal speech.
年休を申請したいのですが。
I'd like to apply for annual leave.
Means 'get approval for annual leave'. Emphasizes the permission aspect.
上司に年休の許可をもらいました。
I got approval for annual leave from my boss.
Talking about how many days of annual leave you have left.
The remaining number of annual leave days. 残り (のこり) means 'remaining', 日数 (にっすう) means 'number of days'.
年休の残り日数を確認してください。
Please check your remaining annual leave days.
Casual way to say 'I have X days of paid leave left'.
有給がまだ5日残っています。
I still have 5 days of paid leave left.
In Japan, taking annual leave can sometimes be seen as causing inconvenience to colleagues. It's common to express gratitude or apology when taking leave, e.g., ご迷惑をおかけしますが (Sorry for the inconvenience). However, attitudes are changing, and many companies now encourage taking leave.
年休 specifically means annual leave, while 有給 is broader and can include other types of paid leave (e.g., sick leave, special leave). In many workplaces, they are used interchangeably because annual leave is the most common type of paid leave.
年休は年に10日付与されます。
10 days of annual leave are granted per year.
有給には年休と病気休暇が含まれます。
Paid leave includes annual leave and sick leave.
来週は年休です。
I'm on annual leave next week.
年休は何日残っていますか？
How many annual leave days do you have?