Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'physical labor' is expressed through several terms that differ in nuance, formality, and context. The most common and neutral term is 肉体労働, but other words like 力仕事, 重労働, and 労務 are used depending on the type of work, its intensity, and the setting.
To refer to physical labor in a general, often formal or descriptive sense, such as in job classifications or discussions about work types.
The standard term for physical labor, often contrasted with mental labor (頭脳労働). Suitable for most contexts, including formal writing and conversation.
He is engaged in physical labor.
Physical labor is physically demanding.
Literally 'strength work,' this term emphasizes the physical strength required. It is more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation to describe manual labor or heavy lifting.
Moving involves a lot of physical labor.
Refers to heavy or hard physical labor, often with a connotation of severity or harshness. Used in contexts like harsh working conditions or strenuous tasks.
Construction work is heavy physical labor.
A formal term often used in legal, administrative, or business contexts to refer to labor or manual work. It can also refer to labor management or personnel affairs.
Labor management is important.
To describe work done with the hands, often unskilled or involving simple physical tasks.
To emphasize the difficulty, exhaustion, or physical toll of the work.
To contrast physical labor with sedentary or intellectual work.
肉体労働 is the most general and neutral term for physical labor. 力仕事 emphasizes the use of physical strength and is more casual. 重労働 specifically means heavy or severe labor, often with a negative connotation of hardship. Use 肉体労働 in formal contexts, 力仕事 in everyday talk about manual tasks, and 重労働 when highlighting the difficulty or harshness.
While フィジカルレイバー is sometimes used in katakana English, it is not natural Japanese. Stick to the terms above. Also, 物理的労働 is not used; it sounds like 'physics labor.'
He is good at physical labor.
He hurt his back from heavy physical labor.
Manual labor takes time.
Also used for manual labor in a broader sense, but 手作業 is more specific to handwork.
I do physical labor at a factory.
As above, specifically heavy labor. More formal than きつい仕事.
My body can't handle the heavy physical labor.
The standard contrast to 頭脳労働 (mental labor).
A balance between physical and mental labor is important.