Translation guide
Physical work done by hand, often contrasted with mental or automated work. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 肉体労働 (nikutai roudou), but other terms exist depending on context.
To refer to manual or physical labor in a broad sense, often in contrast to desk work or intellectual work.
To emphasize low-skill, often low-pay physical jobs, such as construction or factory work.
Means 'simple labor', often implying repetitive, unskilled manual work. Common in economic or social contexts.
移民労働者が単純労働に従事している。
Immigrant workers are engaged in manual labour.
To convey the sense of grueling, exhausting physical work, often with a negative connotation.
肉体労働 is the most neutral and formal term for manual labor. 力仕事 is casual and emphasizes physical strength. 重労働 implies extreme hardship and is often used for the most demanding jobs.
肉体労働者
manual labourer (neutral)
力仕事が得意だ。
I'm good at manual labour (casual).
重労働を強いられた。
They were forced into hard manual labour.
The standard term for manual labor, emphasizing physical exertion. Commonly used in job descriptions and everyday conversation.
彼は肉体労働で生計を立てている。
He makes a living through manual labour.
肉体労働は精神的に楽なこともある。
Manual labour can sometimes be mentally easier.
Literally 'strength work', this is a more casual term for heavy physical labor. Often used in daily speech.
引っ越しは力仕事だ。
Moving house is manual labour.
Refers to work done by hand, often in contrast to machine work. Can imply craftsmanship or manual dexterity.
この工芸品はすべて手作業で作られている。
This craftwork is all made by manual labour.
Loanword from English 'blue-collar', used to describe manual or industrial workers. Common in business and media.
彼はブルーカラーの仕事を探している。
He is looking for a manual labour job.
Literally 'heavy labor', this term emphasizes the difficulty and physical strain. Used for demanding jobs like mining or heavy construction.
この仕事は重労働で、体を壊しそうだ。
This job is manual labour, and I feel like it's breaking my body.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'tough work'. Not a direct translation but often used to describe hard manual labor in conversation.
毎日きつい仕事で疲れ果てている。
I'm exhausted from manual labour every day.
The direct translation '手動労働' is not natural Japanese. Use the terms above instead.
The direct translation '手動労働' is not natural Japanese. Use the terms above instead.