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.
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.
He feels that teaching is his vocation.
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.
A pattern to emphasize that something is exactly one's vocation.
Referring to one's regular occupation or trade, without the strong emotional or spiritual connotation.
Specifically referring to a call from God to become a priest, nun, or engage in religious work.
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.
For him, being a doctor is a vocation.
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.
彼は医者としての使命を感じている。
He feels a vocation as a doctor.
This job is truly my vocation.
He chose music as his vocation.
彼の仕事は大工です。
His vocation is carpentry.
She received a vocation to the religious life.