Translation guide
The English word "work" covers many concepts: a job, the act of labor, a task, a place of employment, a creative piece, and more. Japanese uses different words for each. This guide helps you choose the right one.
My computer isn't working.
This is a work of art.
Referring to one's regular job, profession, or employment status.
The most common and general word for work, job, or occupation. Covers both the concept and the act.
What is your job?
More formal term for occupation or profession. Often used in official contexts.
Refers to employment at a company, often used in the phrase 勤め先 (place of work). Slightly old-fashioned.
Referring to a specific task, assignment, or piece of work that needs to be done.
Also used for tasks and duties. Very flexible.
Referring to the physical location where one works.
The workplace or office. Neutral and common.
Emphasizing the physical or mental effort involved in working.
Labor, especially physical or manual work. Often used in economic or social contexts.
Describing whether something functions or operates correctly.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to move' or 'to work' (for machines). Use 動かす for transitive.
Referring to a piece of art, literature, research, or a composition.
The act of working, doing a job, or performing labor.
The most common verb for 'to work'. Intransitive. Focuses on the activity of labor.
Causing a machine or system to function.
仕事 (shigoto) is a noun meaning 'work' or 'job'. 働く (hataraku) is a verb meaning 'to work'. You can say 仕事をする (to do work) which is often interchangeable with 働く, but 働く emphasizes the physical act of labor, while 仕事をする is more about performing tasks. For 'I work at a company', 会社で働いている and 会社に勤めている are both common, but 勤める implies being an employee of that company.
For machines or devices, avoid using 仕事 or 働く. Use 動く (intransitive) or 動かす (transitive). Saying コンピューターが仕事しない is unnatural.
In casual conversation, Japanese people often say 会社に行く (go to the company) to mean 'go to work', even if they don't work at a traditional company. It's a natural metonymy.
Work starts at 9.
I'm looking for a new job.
職業を教えてください。
Please tell me your occupation.
父は長年同じ会社に勤めています。
My father has worked for the same company for many years.
I have a lot of work to do today.
I'll go home after finishing this work.
Refers to manual, mechanical, or routine work; operations. Often used for physical tasks or computer work.
I'm doing data entry work.
Work in the factory involves danger.
Refers to errands or things one has to do, often outside of regular work. Not used for professional tasks.
I have some things to take care of, so I'll leave early.
It takes an hour by train to get to work.
I'm struggling with relationships at work.
Literally 'company', but often used to mean 'the office' or 'work' as a place.
I'm going to work tomorrow.
I might be late for work.
One's place of employment. More formal and less common in daily speech.
Where do you work?
Long working hours are bad for your health.
Demand better working conditions.
The act of working; often used in compounds like 働き者 (hard worker). Can imply diligence.
I admire his work ethic.
Hardship, toil, or trouble. Emphasizes the difficulty of work.
My hard work paid off.
This clock doesn't work.
The air conditioner isn't working.
More technical term for 'to operate' or 'to function'. Used for machines and systems.
The safety device worked properly.
To function, to serve a purpose. More abstract than 動く.
This system is still working.
A work of art, literature, music, etc. Very common.
This is his greatest work.
Many works are exhibited at the exhibition.
Written work, especially scholarly or literary. Often used for books or papers.
His works are widely read.
Research or study. Can be used for academic work.
His work (research) is highly regarded.
I work in Tokyo.
I work eight hours every day.
Literally 'do work'. Very common and natural. Can be used when 働く feels too labor-focused.
I'll work from home today.
To be employed at a specific company or organization. Used with に.
He works at a bank.
Transitive verb meaning 'to move' or 'to operate' something.
Please show me how to work the machine.
To operate or manipulate a device or system. More technical.
This device is easy to work.
I'm too tired to work.
His work is impressive.