Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of permanent employment is often expressed through the term 正社員 (seishain), which refers to a regular, full-time employee with job security and benefits. This contrasts with non-regular employment types. The guide covers how to talk about permanent employment status, the system itself, and related expressions.
Referring to a person who has permanent employment status, typically a full-time regular employee with benefits and job security.
The standard term for a regular, full-time employee with permanent employment status. This is the most common way to refer to such a person.
He works as a permanent employee.
I want to become a permanent employee.
Synonym for 正社員, slightly more formal or technical. Used in official contexts.
Are you hiring permanent employees?
Referring to the employment system or status itself, such as lifetime employment or the concept of job security.
Refers to the traditional Japanese lifetime employment system, where employees are hired straight out of school and stay with the same company until retirement.
Japan's lifetime employment system is changing.
Literally 'regular employee employment', used to describe the hiring of permanent employees.
Means 'stable employment', often used to describe the security of permanent positions.
Referring to a job opening or position that is permanent, as opposed to temporary or contract.
Expressing the transition from a temporary or contract position to permanent employment.
正社員 refers to the individual employee status, while 終身雇用 refers to the system or practice of lifetime employment. You can be a 正社員 without being in a 終身雇用 system, though historically they are linked.
He is a permanent employee, but lifetime employment is not guaranteed.
The literal translation '永久雇用' (eikyū koyō) is not commonly used and may sound unnatural. Stick to 正社員 or 終身雇用 depending on context.
Our company emphasizes permanent employment.
I'm looking for stable employment.
I'm looking for permanent job openings.
There is a system for promotion to permanent employee.