Translation guide
The concept of a labour shortage is expressed in Japanese through nouns describing the lack of workers, verbs indicating insufficiency, and phrases highlighting difficulty in securing personnel. The most common and direct term is 人手不足.
To state that there is a shortage of workers or manpower in general.
The most common and direct term for 'labour shortage' or 'manpower shortage'. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
この業界は深刻な人手不足に直面している。
This industry is facing a serious labour shortage.
A more formal term, often used in economic or policy discussions. Emphasizes the lack of labour force.
労働力不足が経済成長の妨げになっている。
The labour shortage is hindering economic growth.
Refers to a shortage of talented or skilled personnel, rather than just any workers. Common in business contexts.
IT業界では人材不足が続いている。
The IT industry continues to face a talent shortage.
A casual, everyday way to say 'we don't have enough people'. Used in conversation.
今日は人が足りなくて大変だった。
We were short-staffed today and it was tough.
To indicate a shortage of a particular type of worker.
Attach 不足 to a job title or worker type to indicate a shortage of that specific role.
看護師不足が問題だ。
The shortage of nurses is a problem.
ドライバー不足で配送が遅れている。
Deliveries are delayed due to a driver shortage.
A more colloquial way to say there aren't enough of a certain type of worker.
エンジニアが足りない。
We don't have enough engineers.
To express that it is hard to find or secure workers.
A common phrase meaning 'it is difficult to secure manpower'. Used in business and formal contexts.
地方では人手を確保するのが難しい。
It's difficult to secure workers in rural areas.
Literally 'talent doesn't gather', meaning it's hard to attract workers. Often used in recruitment contexts.
この会社は人材が集まらない。
This company struggles to attract talent.
人手不足 is the most general and widely used term for any kind of worker shortage. 労働力不足 is more formal and often used in economic contexts, referring to the overall labour force. 人材不足 specifically refers to a shortage of skilled or talented personnel.
人手不足のため営業時間を短縮した。
We shortened business hours due to a staff shortage.
労働力不足がGDP成長を抑制している。
Labour shortage is restraining GDP growth.
AI分野の人材不足は深刻だ。
The talent shortage in the AI field is serious.