Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the state of being employed or having a job in Japanese, including common verbs, nouns, and natural phrasing.
Expressing that someone has a job or is currently working for a company.
The most common way to say someone is employed, using the verb 勤める (to work for). It implies a stable, ongoing employment.
He is employed at a bank.
My older sister is employed at a university.
Literally 'is working'. This is a very natural way to say someone is employed, focusing on the act of working rather than the employment contract.
My father is employed at a factory.
She is employed only three days a week.
Means 'has found employment' or 'is employed', often used when talking about the result of a job search. Slightly more formal.
He became employed right after graduation.
Currently, many young people are not employed.
Passive form of 雇用する (to employ). Used in formal or statistical contexts, like 'is employed by a company'. Sounds stiff in casual conversation.
He is employed by that company.
Expressing the action of finding employment or starting a job.
The standard verb for 'to get a job' or 'to find employment'. Used for entering the workforce or joining a company.
I want to be employed at a major company next year.
He was finally able to get employed.
Literally 'to find a job'. A more casual and direct way to say 'get employed'.
I need to get employed soon.
Passive of 雇う (to hire). Means 'to be hired'. Focuses on the employer's action.
He was employed by a new company.
Specifying the job title or role someone holds.
Pattern: [role] として働いている. Means 'is working as a [role]'. Very natural and common.
He is employed as an engineer.
She is employed as an interpreter.
Pattern: [role] をしている. A more general way to say 'does [role]', often implying employment.
He is employed as a teacher.
Stating the employer.
勤める (つとめる) implies a stable employment relationship with a specific organization, often used with に. 働く (はたらく) focuses on the act of working and can be used with で for location. 勤める sounds more formal and is preferred when stating one's employer in polite contexts.
I am employed at a bank. (formal, emphasizing the employer)
I work at a bank. (casual, emphasizing the workplace)
The English passive 'be employed' often sounds unnatural if directly translated into Japanese passive (雇用されている) in everyday speech. Use active verbs like 勤めている or 働いている instead, unless in a formal or statistical context.