Translation guide
The most common and natural way to say 'scientist' in Japanese is 科学者 (かがくしゃ). This is a broad term covering researchers in natural and social sciences. In academic or professional contexts, 研究者 (けんきゅうしゃ) 'researcher' is often used, especially when emphasizing the act of research rather than the title. For specific fields, compound words like 物理学者 (ぶつりがくしゃ) 'physicist' are common.
To refer to a person who works in science in a general sense.
The standard translation for 'scientist'. It is neutral and widely understood. Use this when you mean a scientist in general, without specifying the field.
彼は有名な科学者です。
He is a famous scientist.
科学者になるには努力が必要だ。
Becoming a scientist requires effort.
Means 'researcher'. Often used interchangeably with 科学者 in contexts where the person is actively conducting research. It can sound more academic and is common in university or lab settings.
彼女は大学で研究者として働いています。
She works as a researcher at a university.
To specify the scientific discipline, e.g., physicist, chemist, biologist.
The suffix 学者 (がくしゃ) attaches to a field of study to mean 'scholar of ~' or 'scientist in ~'. For example, 物理学 (physics) + 学者 = 物理学者 (physicist). This is the most common way to form field-specific scientist terms.
彼は物理学者です。
He is a physicist.
その化学者は新しい元素を発見した。
That chemist discovered a new element.
Even when the field is known, 科学者 can be used if the context makes the field clear, but it is less precise.
To refer to a scientist in social sciences like economics, sociology, etc.
The same pattern applies to social sciences. For example, 経済学者 (economist), 社会学者 (sociologist). Note that 科学者 is sometimes perceived as more natural science-oriented, so using the specific term is safer.
彼女は経済学者です。
She is an economist.
Literally 'social scientist'. This word exists but is less common than the specific field term. It might be used in formal contexts.
社会科学者の間で議論が続いている。
Debate continues among social scientists.
To emphasize the act of researching rather than the title 'scientist'.
When the focus is on the person's role as a researcher, 研究者 is more natural. It is used for both scientific and non-scientific research (e.g., humanities).
彼はがんの研究者です。
He is a cancer researcher.
研究者たちは新しい治療法を開発した。
The researchers developed a new treatment.
科学者 (かがくしゃ) specifically means 'scientist' and is associated with the natural sciences. 研究者 (けんきゅうしゃ) means 'researcher' and can be used for any field, including humanities and social sciences. In many contexts they overlap, but 研究者 emphasizes the act of research, while 科学者 emphasizes the profession of science.
When possible, use the specific field + 学者 (がくしゃ) to sound more natural and precise. For example, say 物理学者 (physicist) instead of 科学者 if you know the field.
彼女は科学者になりたいと思っています。
She wants to become a scientist.
科学者たちは新しい惑星を発見しました。
Scientists have discovered a new planet.
He is a scientist at NASA.