Translation guide
Small, miscellaneous tasks or chores, often done for others, sometimes for pay.
彼は近所の雑用をしています。
He does odd jobs for neighbors.
The learner wants to refer to various small, often unskilled, tasks or chores, typically done around the house or for someone else.
General term for miscellaneous chores or odd jobs. Can be used in both domestic and workplace contexts.
週末は家の雑用を片付ける。
I take care of odd jobs around the house on weekends.
Literally 'a little bit of work', used for small, casual tasks or errands.
彼は近所でちょっとした仕事をして小遣いを稼いでいる。
He earns pocket money by doing odd jobs in the neighborhood.
Help or assistance, often used for informal tasks done for someone else.
引っ越しの手伝いを頼まれた。
I was asked to help with some odd jobs for the move.
The learner wants to refer to small paid tasks, often informal or temporary, like helping a neighbor or doing gig work.
Day labor or casual paid work, often physical. Implies short-term, irregular employment.
彼は日雇い仕事で生計を立てている。
He makes a living doing odd jobs.
One-off or temporary jobs, often used in the context of gig work or freelance tasks.
単発の仕事を探している。
I'm looking for odd jobs.
Part-time job, but can sometimes refer to casual odd jobs, especially among students. Often abbreviated to バイト.
The learner wants to refer to routine domestic tasks, often implying a variety of small duties.
Housework or domestic chores. Covers cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc. More specific than 'odd jobs' but often used in similar contexts.
家事を分担する。
We share the odd jobs around the house.
Errands or tasks around the house. Can include both chores and small repairs.
今日は家の用事で忙しい。
I'm busy with odd jobs at home today.
雑用 (zatsuyou) refers to miscellaneous chores or errands, often outside routine housework. 家事 (kaji) specifically means housework like cooking and cleaning. Use 雑用 for a broader range of small tasks, including non-domestic ones.
会社で雑用を任される。
I'm assigned odd jobs at the office.
家事が終わったら出かけよう。
Let's go out after the housework is done.
The direct translation '奇妙な仕事' (kimyou na shigoto) means 'strange work' and does not convey 'odd jobs'. Use the terms above instead.
午後は家の雑用をして過ごした。
I spent the afternoon doing odd jobs around the house.
彼は小遣い稼ぎに単発の仕事をしている。
He picks up odd jobs to make extra money.
夏休みにアルバイトで雑用をした。
I did odd jobs as a part-time worker during summer vacation.