Translation guide
The English word 'engineer' covers a wide range of technical professions. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is エンジニア, a loanword used broadly for IT, software, and technical roles. For traditional engineering fields (civil, mechanical, electrical), 技師 or 技術者 are more formal and precise. This guide helps learners choose the right term based on context.
To refer to someone who works in engineering, especially in technology or software fields, in a general or modern context.
The most common and versatile term for 'engineer' in modern Japanese, especially in IT, software, and tech industries. It is a loanword from English and is widely understood.
彼はソフトウェアエンジニアです。
He is a software engineer.
エンジニアの仕事は問題を解決することです。
An engineer's job is to solve problems.
A more formal and traditional term for 'engineer' or 'technician'. It emphasizes technical expertise and is used across various engineering fields, but can sound slightly stiff in casual conversation.
Often used in official titles or licenses, such as 'civil engineer' (土木技師) or 'mechanical engineer' (機械技師). It implies a certified or professional status and is less common in everyday speech.
To specify an engineer in a classical engineering discipline, often with a formal or professional connotation.
To form compound job titles like 'software engineer', 'network engineer', etc.
The most productive pattern. Simply prefix the field (often in katakana) with エンジニア. Examples: ソフトウェアエンジニア, ネットワークエンジニア, セールスエンジニア.
私はセキュリティエンジニアです。
I am a security engineer.
Used for more traditional or formal titles, e.g., 電気技術者 (electrical engineer), 建築技術者 (architectural engineer).
To refer to a person who drives or operates a train, commonly called an 'engineer' in British English.
To refer to a member of the military who performs engineering tasks such as construction, demolition, or fortification.
エンジニア is the most common and modern term, used widely in IT and tech. 技術者 is a formal, traditional term for engineers in any field, often used in official contexts. 技師 is typically used for licensed or certified professionals, like 建築技師 (architectural engineer). For everyday conversation about tech jobs, エンジニア is safest.
ITエンジニアとして働いています。
I work as an IT engineer.
彼は電気技術者です。
He is an electrical engineer.
In Japanese, エンジニア never means a train driver. Use 運転士 (うんてんし) for that meaning. Using エンジニア for a train operator will cause confusion.
エンジニアになりたいです。
I want to become an engineer.
彼女は優秀な技術者です。
She is a brilliant engineer.
He is an excellent engineer.
He is a first-class architectural engineer.
The standard term for engineers in traditional fields. It is neutral and widely used in job titles and descriptions.
土木技術者として働いています。
I work as a civil engineer.
電気技術者の需要が高まっている。
The demand for electrical engineers is increasing.
Used in formal titles and certifications, such as 機械技師 (mechanical engineer) or 電気技師 (electrical engineer). It often implies a licensed professional.
機械技師の資格を取得しました。
I obtained a mechanical engineer license.
Also used for traditional engineering fields, especially in international or modern contexts, but 技術者 is more common in domestic settings.
彼は機械エンジニアです。
He is a mechanical engineer.
彼女は環境技術者です。
She is an environmental engineer.
The standard term for a train driver or operator. It is used for professional drivers of trains and other vehicles.
彼は電車の運転士です。
He is a train engineer.
Specifically refers to a steam locomotive engineer or a ship's engineer. It is less common today but still used in historical or specific contexts.
祖父は蒸気機関車の機関士でした。
My grandfather was a steam locomotive engineer.
The standard term for a military engineer or sapper. It refers to soldiers who handle construction, demolition, and other engineering tasks.
彼は陸軍の工兵です。
He is an army engineer.