Translation guide
Describes the state of not having a job. Japanese expressions vary by formality, context, and whether the lack of work is voluntary or involuntary.
To state that someone does not have a job, in a neutral or factual way.
He is currently jobless.
My period of being jobless is getting longer.
Literally 'there is no work'. A natural, slightly more conversational way to say you don't have a job.
I'm jobless right now and it's tough.
Means 'currently unemployed', often implying one is looking for work. Slightly more formal than 無職.
He is jobless and searches job listings every day.
To describe joblessness in official, economic, or formal contexts.
To casually mention not having a job, often in personal conversation.
To specify that joblessness is due to being laid off or a company closing.
無職 simply means 'without a job', regardless of reason or desire to work. 失業中 implies you are actively seeking work and is closer to 'unemployed' in the economic sense. Use 無職 for a neutral statement of fact; use 失業中 when emphasizing the job-search aspect.
There is no single adjective like 'jobless' in Japanese. Instead, use noun phrases like 無職 or verb phrases like 仕事がない. Saying ジョブレス is not natural.
He's been jobless for six months.
The jobless rate is rising.
失業率が過去最低を記録した。
The jobless rate hit a record low.
He's been a NEET (jobless and not in school) since graduating college.