Translation guide
The English word "vocation" can refer to a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation, a person's main job or profession, or a divine calling to religious life. This guide helps learners express these nuances naturally in Japanese.
教師は私の天職です。
Teaching is my vocation.
Expressing that one feels destined or naturally suited for a particular type of work, often with a sense of passion or purpose.
This is the most direct and common equivalent for 'vocation' in the sense of a calling or life's work. It implies a job that one is meant to do.
彼は教師を天職だと思っている。
He feels that teaching is his vocation.
看護師は私の天職です。
Nursing is my vocation.
Means 'mission' and can be used when the vocation involves a strong sense of duty or purpose, often beyond personal fulfillment.
彼は医者としての使命を感じている。
He feels a vocation as a doctor.
A pattern to emphasize that something is exactly one's vocation.
この仕事こそ自分の天職だ。
This job is truly my vocation.
Referring to one's regular occupation or trade, without the strong emotional or spiritual connotation.
The standard word for 'occupation' or 'profession'. It is neutral and widely used.
職業は何ですか。
What is your vocation?
彼は職業として音楽を選んだ。
He chose music as his vocation.
A more casual and general term for 'work' or 'job'. It can be used in everyday conversation.
Specifically referring to a call from God to become a priest, nun, or engage in religious work.
The religious term for 'vocation' or 'calling', used in Christian contexts.
彼は神からの召命を感じて司祭になった。
He felt a vocation from God and became a priest.
Literally 'calling to holy orders', used in formal religious contexts.
彼女は聖職への召しを受けた。
She received a vocation to the religious life.
天職 (てんしょく) implies a deep personal calling or ideal job, while 職業 (しょくぎょう) is a neutral term for occupation. Use 天職 when you want to express passion or destiny.
彼にとって医者は天職だ。
For him, being a doctor is a vocation.
彼の職業は医者です。
His vocation is a doctor.
Avoid directly translating 'vocation' as 職業 in contexts where a sense of calling is intended. Use 天職 or 使命 instead to convey the deeper meaning.
His vocation is carpentry.