Translation guide
The concept of forced, unpaid, or exploitative work, ranging from literal slavery to modern labor exploitation. Japanese expressions vary by context: historical slavery, prison labor, or figurative 'slave-like' working conditions.
Forced labor where people are owned as property or treated as such, often in historical or human rights contexts.
The direct translation for 'slave labor', used in formal, historical, and human rights discussions.
In ancient Rome, slave labor supported the economy.
Forced labor, often used in legal or human rights contexts. Broader than slavery, includes prison labor or human trafficking.
Forced labor has become an international issue in that country.
Describing a job or work environment that feels like slavery due to extremely low pay, long hours, or harsh treatment.
Literally 'labor like a slave'. Commonly used to complain about exploitative work conditions.
The overtime at this company is slave labor.
Exploitative labor, emphasizing the extraction of value from workers. More formal and often used in economic or activist contexts.
Work done by prisoners, often as punishment or for minimal compensation.
When complaining about a bad job, directly saying 'slave labor' (奴隷労働) can sound overly dramatic or historical. Instead, use phrases like 奴隷のような労働 or refer to the company as ブラック企業.
This job is too tough. It's like being a slave.
Exploitative labor in developing countries is being criticized.
A 'black company' that exploits workers with unpaid overtime, harassment, etc. Implies slave-like conditions. Very common in modern Japanese.
That company is a sweatshop, so you'd better quit.
Penal labor is prohibited by the constitution.