Translation guide
Refers to work or employment in the public sector, or to services provided by the government to citizens. The most natural Japanese expressions depend on whether you mean 'working for the government' or 'a service offered by the government.'
Describing a job or career working for the government.
The standard term for a government employee or civil servant. It covers a wide range of public sector jobs.
He is a government employee.
I want to become a civil servant.
Literally 'work at a government office.' A natural way to describe working in the public sector without using the specific term 公務員.
I work for the government.
Specifically a national government employee, as opposed to a local government employee (地方公務員). Used in formal contexts.
Take the national civil service exam.
Referring to public services like healthcare, transportation, or administrative procedures.
The most direct translation for 'government service' in the sense of services provided to the public. Widely understood.
Improve government services.
Refers specifically to services offered by government offices. Less common than 行政サービス, but used in bureaucratic contexts.
The phrase 'government service' cannot be directly translated word-for-word. 政府サービス (seifu sābisu) is not natural Japanese. Use 行政サービス or 公共サービス instead.
公務員 refers to the person (civil servant), while 行政サービス refers to the service itself. Do not confuse them.
He is a civil servant and is working to improve government services.
You can use government services online.
Means 'public service' and often overlaps with government services. Slightly broader, can include services provided by public utilities.
The quality of public services is high.
The digitization of government office services is progressing.