Translation guide
In Japanese workplaces, the concept of a 'permanent employee' is typically expressed through the term 正社員 (seishain), which refers to a regular, full-time employee with job security and benefits. This is distinct from contract, temporary, or part-time workers. The guide covers how to refer to such employees, describe employment status, and navigate related workplace terminology.
To refer to a person who is a permanent, regular employee in a company, as opposed to contract or temporary staff.
The standard term for a permanent, full-time employee. It implies job security, benefits, and a direct employment contract with the company.
彼は大手企業の正社員です。
He is a permanent employee at a major company.
正社員として働きたいです。
I want to work as a permanent employee.
Similar to 正社員, but sometimes used to emphasize 'regular' status in contrast to non-regular employees. Slightly more formal or written.
正規社員と非正規社員の待遇差が問題になっています。
The disparity in treatment between regular and non-regular employees is an issue.
Literally 'lifetime employment employee'. Refers to the traditional Japanese employment system where employees are hired straight out of school and stay until retirement. This concept is becoming less common.
父は終身雇用の社員として同じ会社で40年働きました。
My father worked for the same company for 40 years as a lifetime employee.
To describe the state or condition of being a permanent employee, often used in discussions about job hunting or career.
Refers to 'permanent employment' as a system or status. Often used in contexts like 'seeking permanent employment'.
正社員雇用を目指して就職活動をしています。
I'm job hunting with the aim of getting permanent employment.
Refers to the promotion or conversion of a non-regular employee (e.g., contract or temp) to permanent employee status.
契約社員から正社員登用されました。
I was promoted from contract employee to permanent employee.
To clarify that someone is a permanent employee in contrast to other types of workers.
In Japanese, it's common to explicitly contrast 正社員 with other employment types. 非正規社員 (non-regular employee) is a broad term; 契約社員 (contract employee), 派遣社員 (temporary staff from an agency), and パート (part-time worker) are specific categories.
私は正社員ですが、彼は契約社員です。
I'm a permanent employee, but he's a contract employee.
この会社では正社員と非正規社員の仕事内容がほとんど同じです。
At this company, the work content of permanent and non-regular employees is almost the same.
The English phrase 'permanent employee' can be literally translated as 永久的な従業員 (eikyūteki na jūgyōin), but this sounds unnatural and is not used in Japanese business contexts. Always use 正社員 or related terms.
In casual conversation, simply saying 正社員 is enough. In formal documents or HR contexts, you might see 正規社員 or 正社員雇用. Be aware that the traditional concept of lifetime employment (終身雇用) is fading, so use that term only when specifically referring to the old system.