Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common way to refer to a temporary worker depends on the type of work and employment status. The most general term is 派遣社員 (haken shain) for dispatched workers from a temp agency. For part-time or casual workers, アルバイト (arubaito) or パート (pāto) are used. There are also more formal or specific terms like 臨時雇い (rinjiyatoi) and 期間工 (kikankō).
A worker employed by a staffing agency and sent to work at a client company. This is the most common type of 'temporary worker' in a modern office context.
The standard term for a dispatched temporary worker. They are legally employed by a temp agency (派遣会社) but work at the client's office.
He works at a major company as a temp worker.
Short for 派遣社員. Common in casual conversation.
There are a few temps at my current workplace.
A worker employed directly by the company but on a non-regular basis, often with shorter hours or a fixed term. Common in retail, restaurants, etc.
Commonly used for part-time jobs, especially among students or as a side job. Often shortened to バイト.
I worked part-time at a convenience store when I was a university student.
Often used for part-time workers, especially housewives or older workers. The distinction from アルバイト is blurry, but パート can imply more regular, long-term part-time work.
A worker hired directly by a company for a limited period, not through an agency. Often used for seasonal or project-based work.
A directly hired temporary worker. More common in manual labor or seasonal work.
We hire temporary workers during the harvest season.
A fixed-term contract worker, often in manufacturing. Similar to a temporary worker but with a set contract period.
A temporary employee, similar to 臨時雇い but can sound slightly more formal or office-oriented.
A worker hired on a day-to-day basis, often for physical labor.
派遣社員 are employed by an agency and dispatched to a client. アルバイト and パート are directly hired by the workplace, often for part-time hours. 臨時雇い are directly hired for a short, fixed period, often full-time. Choose based on the employment relationship and duration.
The direct translation '一時的な労働者' (ichijiteki na rōdōsha) is not natural Japanese. Use the specific terms above depending on the context.
She works part-time at a supermarket.
自動車工場で期間工として働く。
Work as a temporary worker at an automobile factory.
He works as a temporary employee in the accounting department.
More explicit term for a day laborer.
The day laborers gather from early morning.