Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the concept of 'starting work' in Japanese, including beginning a job, starting a work shift, and the act of commencing work tasks.
I will start work at a new company next month.
Literally 'to begin working'. Can be used for starting a job or starting work in general.
After graduating from university, I started working right away.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to start work/a job'. Slightly more general than 就職する.
He started a new job last week.
Referring to the beginning of a workday or shift, such as clocking in or commencing daily tasks.
Used for starting the day's work or a specific work task. Context usually clarifies it's about the daily start.
I start work at 9 a.m.
Specifically means 'to go to work' or 'to clock in'. Emphasizes the act of arriving at the workplace to start the workday.
A formal, business-like expression meaning 'to commence operations/work'. Often used in official contexts.
Starting a specific piece of work, a project, or a task.
Means 'to start work (on a task)'. 作業 refers to manual or practical work, operations, or tasks.
Let's start work once we're ready.
Means 'to get started on' or 'to set about' a task. Often used when beginning a specific piece of work.
A formal term meaning 'to start' or 'to embark on' a project or task. Common in business and technical contexts.
These all relate to starting work, but have different nuances. 就職する specifically means getting a job or being hired. 働き始める emphasizes the action of beginning to work. 仕事を始める is more general and can mean starting a job, a workday, or a task depending on context.
When specifying when you start work, use から after the time or event. For example: 9時から仕事を始めます (I start work from 9 o'clock).
I start work (arrive at the office) at 8:30 every day.
We will commence operations from today.
We started work on the new project.
We will start work on developing the new system next week.