Translation guide
The English verb 'employ' can mean to hire someone for a job, to use a method or tool, or to keep someone busy. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To give someone a job or take them on as an employee.
The most common and direct translation for hiring someone. Used for both temporary and permanent employment.
To make use of something for a particular purpose.
The most common and versatile word for 'use'. Suitable for methods, tools, skills, etc.
To give someone something to do, often to fill time.
A natural way to say 'keep someone busy'. The subject is the thing that occupies the person.
そのプロジェクトは彼を十分に忙しくさせた。
The project employed him fully.
雇う is the everyday word for hiring. 採用する is formal and implies a selection process, often used in job postings. 雇用する is technical and used in economic or legal contexts.
In English, 'employ' can sound formal when meaning 'use'. In Japanese, 使う is perfectly natural in all but the most formal situations. Overusing 用いる or 駆使する can sound stiff.
新しい社員を雇う予定です。
We plan to employ a new staff member.
彼はその会社に雇われた。
He was employed by that company.
Often used in formal or business contexts, meaning to hire or recruit. Implies a selection process.
当社では経験者を採用しています。
Our company is employing experienced people.
A formal term for employment, often used in legal or economic contexts.
政府は若者の雇用を促進する政策を導入した。
The government introduced policies to promote the employment of young people.
新しい技術を使って問題を解決した。
We employed a new technique to solve the problem.
彼は説得にユーモアを使った。
He employed humor in his persuasion.
A more formal or literary equivalent of 使う. Often used in written language or formal speech.
この手法は広く用いられている。
This method is widely employed.
To make effective use of something, often skills, knowledge, or resources. Implies utilizing something to its full potential.
彼女は語学力を仕事に活用している。
She employs her language skills in her work.
To employ something with great skill or mastery, often multiple techniques or resources. Sounds advanced.
彼はあらゆる戦術を駆使して勝利した。
He employed every tactic to win.
Literally 'to trouble someone's hands', meaning to keep someone busy with a task, often used when asking for help or giving work.
お手を煩わせて申し訳ありません。
I'm sorry to employ your time. (I'm sorry to trouble you.)
Please use this tool. (Not: Please employ this tool.)
この道具を使ってください。
Please use this tool. (Not: Please employ this tool.)