Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common and neutral way to refer to a 'company employee' is 会社員 (かいしゃいん). However, the best choice depends on context: whether you are talking about yourself, someone else, the type of employment, or the relationship to the company.
Referring to someone who works for a company in a general sense, often as a salaried worker.
The standard, neutral word for a company employee. It implies a full-time, salaried position at a company. Commonly used when stating one's occupation.
I am a company employee.
He is an employee at a major corporation.
A loanword from 'salaryman', referring specifically to male, white-collar company employees. It carries connotations of the stereotypical Japanese corporate worker. Often used in casual conversation, but can be seen as gendered or old-fashioned.
My father is a salaryman.
Means 'employee' of a specific company. Often used in compounds like 正社員 (regular employee) or when the company is clear from context. It is more about membership in a company rather than the occupation itself.
He is an employee of our company.
new employee training
When talking about yourself or a colleague within your own company, especially to outsiders.
Used to refer to employees of one's own company when speaking to people outside the company. It is humble and appropriate in business settings.
Our employee caused you trouble.
A humble way to refer to someone from your company, often used when introducing yourself or a colleague on a business call or visit. Literally 'person of the company'.
Distinguishing between being an employee of a company and being self-employed or a business owner.
Specifying a full-time, permanent employee as opposed to contract or part-time.
Refers to a regular, full-time employee with full benefits and job security. This is a key distinction in the Japanese labor market.
I want to work as a regular employee.
While 会社員 is the direct translation, using it in every context can sound unnatural. For example, when introducing yourself, simply saying your company name and position is often more natural than stating 'I am a company employee'.
会社員 is the neutral occupation term. サラリーマン is a casual, somewhat stereotypical term for male white-collar workers. 社員 refers to an employee of a specific company and is often used in business contexts or when the company is known.
I'm a regular employee at a trading company.
I'm from ABC Trading, is Mr. Tanaka available?
会社員ですか、それとも自営業ですか。
Are you a company employee or self-employed?