Translation guide
The English word 'recruit' can be a verb (to find and hire people, or to get someone to join) or a noun (a new member). This guide covers both uses, focusing on natural Japanese expressions for business, organizations, and casual contexts.
Expressing the action of a company or organization looking for and hiring new staff.
The standard verb for 'to hire' or 'to employ'. Used when a company decides to take someone on.
We plan to recruit 10 new graduates next year.
Means 'to recruit' or 'to seek applicants'. Focuses on the process of advertising and gathering candidates.
We are currently recruiting experienced people.
Loanword from English, often used in business contexts, especially for proactive scouting or headhunting.
We recruited him as a project manager.
Implies actively seeking out and approaching a specific person, often used in sports, entertainment, or headhunting.
He was recruited by a major company.
Persuading someone to become a member of a club, team, cause, etc., not necessarily for a job.
General term for inviting or soliciting someone to join an organization, club, or activity.
He recruited his friend into the volunteer group.
Casual verb meaning 'to invite'. Can be used for recruiting friends or acquaintances to join an activity.
Literally 'to pull in', implies bringing someone into a group, sometimes with a nuance of persuasion or even coercion.
Referring to a person who has recently joined a company, organization, or group.
Standard term for a newly hired employee in a company.
This year's recruits are very talented.
General term for a newcomer or rookie, used in workplaces, sports, or any group.
Specifically refers to a new graduate recruit, very common in Japanese hiring context.
A mid-career recruit, someone hired with previous work experience.
Specifically for joining the armed forces.
採用する focuses on the decision to hire, while 募集する focuses on the process of looking for applicants. You 募集する first, then 採用する the chosen candidates.
We recruited (sought) new staff, but haven't hired anyone yet.
リクルートする sounds businesslike and is not used for inviting friends to a party or club. Use 誘う or 勧誘する instead.
I recruited new members for the club.
He recruited her into the scheme.
彼はまだ新人だが、よくやっている。
He's still a recruit, but he's doing well.
当社は毎年多くの新卒を採用している。
Our company recruits many new graduates every year.
There is training for mid-career recruits.
During the war, many young men were recruited (drafted).