Translation guide
A secondary job or source of income in addition to one's main employment. In Japanese, this concept is commonly expressed with words like 副業 (fukugyō) or アルバイト (arubaito), but the appropriate term depends on the nature of the work, formality, and whether it is permitted by one's primary employer.
Referring to any job or business done in addition to one's main occupation, often to earn extra income.
The standard, formal term for a side job or secondary business. It is widely understood and used in official contexts, such as company policies.
彼は副業でウェブデザインをしている。
He does web design as a side job.
副業が禁止されている会社もある。
Some companies prohibit side jobs.
A loanword from English, often used for a side business or entrepreneurial venture, rather than simple part-time work. It carries a slightly more modern, business-like nuance.
週末はサイドビジネスとしてハンドメイド作品を販売している。
On weekends, I sell handmade crafts as a side business.
Refers specifically to side work done at home, often piecework like assembly or data entry. It has a traditional, somewhat old-fashioned nuance and is less common for modern freelance or part-time jobs.
母は内職で封筒の宛名書きをしている。
My mother does envelope addressing as a side job at home.
A side job that is typically part-time, paid hourly, and may be in service or retail. This is the most common way for students or those with flexible schedules to earn extra money.
The go-to word for part-time work, including side jobs. It is casual and widely used. Often shortened to バイト (baito) in conversation.
彼は本業の後にコンビニでアルバイトをしている。
He works a part-time side job at a convenience store after his main job.
アルバイトで学費を稼いでいる。
I'm earning tuition money through a part-time job.
Abbreviation of アルバイト, extremely common in casual speech. Use with friends or in informal settings.
バイト探してるんだ。
I'm looking for a part-time job.
Doing a side job without the knowledge or permission of one's main employer, often with a nuance of secrecy or rule-breaking.
A natural phrase meaning 'to secretly do a side job'. It conveys the clandestine nature of moonlighting.
彼は会社にばれないように副業をこっそりしている。
He's secretly doing a side job so his company doesn't find out.
A loanword meaning 'double work', often used to describe holding two jobs simultaneously. It can imply moonlighting but is not inherently secretive.
ダブルワークは体力的にきつい。
Working two jobs is physically tough.
副業 (fukugyō) is a formal term for any secondary job or business, while アルバイト (arubaito) specifically refers to part-time, often hourly work. Use 副業 in official or written contexts, and アルバイト in casual conversation about part-time gigs.
副業として翻訳をしています。
I do translation as a side job. (formal)
アルバイトで塾の講師をやってる。
I work part-time as a cram school teacher. (casual)
The direct translation 'サイドジョブ' (saido jobu) is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to 副業 or アルバイト depending on context.