Translation guide
Work paid according to the number of items produced or tasks completed, rather than by the hour.
Describing work where payment is based on output, not time.
The standard term for piecework payment. Literally 'output-based pay'. Used in business and labor contexts.
この工場では出来高払いを採用しています。
This factory uses a piecework system.
Refers to the piecework system or output-based system. Often used when discussing the structure rather than the payment itself.
出来高制の仕事は収入が不安定です。
Piecework jobs have unstable income.
Commission-based or piece-rate system. Common in sales and some manual labor. Slightly broader than pure piecework.
歩合制の給料は、成果によって大きく変わります。
Commission-based pay varies greatly depending on results.
Verb phrase meaning 'to pay by the piece' or 'to pay according to output'.
彼らは作業員に出来高で払っています。
They pay the workers by the piece.
Referring to a specific job or task that is paid by the piece.
A job or work paid by output. Direct equivalent of 'piecework' as a type of work.
彼は出来高仕事で生計を立てています。
He makes a living doing piecework.
Side work done at home, often piecework like assembling parts or sewing. Common among homemakers.
母は内職で箱の組み立てをしています。
My mother does piecework assembling boxes at home.
The rate of pay per unit produced.
The unit price or rate for piecework. Used in manufacturing and payroll.
出来高単価が上がったので、収入が増えました。
The piece rate went up, so my income increased.
Commission or piece rate. Often used in sales contexts but can apply to piecework.
歩合は1個につき50円です。
The piece rate is 50 yen per item.
出来高払い is specifically output-based pay, common in factories. 歩合制 is broader, often used for commission-based pay in sales. Both can translate 'piecework' but 出来高払い is more precise for manual production work.
Do not translate 'piecework' literally as ピースワーク. It is not a recognized term in Japanese. Use the established terms above.
Contract work, often paid by the job or piece. More common in construction or freelancing.
この大工は請負仕事で家を建てます。
This carpenter builds houses on a contract (piecework) basis.