Translation guide
A farmhand is a person who works on a farm, typically doing manual labor. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to refer to this is by describing the work or role rather than using a single fixed noun. The best choice depends on context: whether you are talking about hired help, family members, or temporary workers.
To refer to a person who does general farm work, either as a hired hand or as a family member helping out.
A neutral, descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who does farm work'. This is the safest and most natural way to express the concept without implying employment status.
彼は農作業をする人として雇われた。
He was hired as a farmhand.
A somewhat dated term for a male farmhand or hired farm laborer. Still understood but less common in modern conversation; often appears in historical or rural contexts.
昔、作男たちは朝早くから働いた。
In the old days, farmhands worked from early morning.
Literally 'farmer' or 'peasant', but can sometimes be used for a farm laborer. However, it often implies the person is a farmer themselves, not just a hired hand. Use with caution.
May be misunderstood as 'farmer' rather than 'farmhand'. Better to use a descriptive phrase unless context makes the meaning clear.
農夫たちが田んぼで働いている。
Farmhands are working in the rice fields.
To emphasize that the person is employed as a farm worker, often on a larger farm or for wages.
A formal term for 'agricultural worker' or 'farm laborer'. Suitable for official contexts, news, or when discussing labor rights.
農業労働者の賃金は低い。
Farmhands' wages are low.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'a person who works on a farm'. More specific about the workplace than 農作業をする人.
農場で働く人を募集しています。
We are hiring farmhands.
Similar to 農業労働者 but emphasizes the farm (農場) as the workplace. Also formal.
彼はカリフォルニアで農場労働者として働いた。
He worked as a farmhand in California.
To refer to someone who works on a farm only for a season or short period, often as a migrant worker or part-timer.
Means 'seasonal worker'. Commonly used for farmhands who move with the harvest.
多くの季節労働者が収穫期に来る。
Many farmhands come during the harvest season.
A descriptive phrase for 'short-term farm worker'. Useful when the temporary nature is key.
短期の農作業員を探している。
We are looking for temporary farmhands.
To describe a family member who works on the family farm, often without formal employment.
A longer but clear phrase meaning 'a person who helps with farm work as part of family duties'. Avoids the employment implication.
彼は家の手伝いで農作業をしている。
He works as a farmhand on the family farm.
Another way to express a family member helping with farming.
息子は家族で農業を手伝っている。
The son works as a farmhand for the family.
There is no single, commonly used Japanese word that perfectly matches 'farmhand' in all contexts. Using a descriptive phrase like 農作業をする人 is usually better than forcing a rare or outdated noun. The word 作男 exists but sounds old-fashioned and is limited to male workers.
彼は農作業をする人です。
He is a farmhand.
農夫 (のうふ) often means 'farmer' (the person who owns or runs the farm), while 農業労働者 (のうぎょうろうどうしゃ) clearly means 'agricultural laborer' (a hired worker). If you want to emphasize that someone is an employee, use 農業労働者 or a phrase with 雇われる (to be hired).