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.
パソコンが動かない。
My computer isn't working.
これは芸術作品です。
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.
仕事は何ですか。
What is your job?
新しい仕事を探しています。
I'm looking for a new 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.
Describing whether something functions or operates correctly.
Referring to a piece of art, literature, research, or a composition.
The act of working, doing a job, or performing 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.
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.
今日はやらなければならない仕事がたくさんある。
I have a lot of work to do today.
この仕事を終わらせてから帰ります。
I'll go home after finishing this work.
Refers to manual, mechanical, or routine work; operations. Often used for physical tasks or computer work.
データ入力の作業をしています。
I'm doing data entry work.
工場での作業は危険を伴う。
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.
ちょっと用事があるので、先に失礼します。
I have some things to take care of, so I'll leave early.
職場まで電車で一時間かかります。
It takes an hour by train to get to work.
職場の人間関係に悩んでいる。
I'm struggling with relationships at work.
Literally 'company', but often used to mean 'the office' or 'work' as a place.
明日は会社に行きます。
I'm going to work tomorrow.
会社に遅れそうだ。
I might be late for work.
One's place of employment. More formal and less common in daily speech.
勤め先はどこですか。
Where do you work?
Labor, especially physical or manual work. Often used in economic or social contexts.
長時間労働は健康に悪い。
Long working hours are bad for your health.
労働条件の改善を求める。
Demand better working conditions.
The act of working; often used in compounds like 働き者 (hard worker). Can imply diligence.
彼の働きには感心する。
I admire his work ethic.
Hardship, toil, or trouble. Emphasizes the difficulty of work.
苦労が報われた。
My hard work paid off.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to move' or 'to work' (for machines). Use 動かす for transitive.
この時計は動いていません。
This clock doesn't work.
エアコンが動かない。
The air conditioner isn't working.
More technical term for 'to operate' or 'to function'. Used for machines and systems.
安全装置が正常に作動した。
The safety device worked properly.
To function, to serve a purpose. More abstract than 動く.
このシステムはまだ機能している。
This system is still working.
A work of art, literature, music, etc. Very common.
これは彼の最高傑作だ。
This is his greatest work.
展覧会で多くの作品が展示されている。
Many works are exhibited at the exhibition.
Written work, especially scholarly or literary. Often used for books or papers.
彼の著作は広く読まれている。
His works are widely read.
Research or study. Can be used for academic work.
彼の研究は評価されている。
His work (research) is highly regarded.
The most common verb for 'to work'. Intransitive. Focuses on the activity of labor.
私は東京で働いています。
I work in Tokyo.
毎日八時間働く。
I work eight hours every day.
Literally 'do work'. Very common and natural. Can be used when 働く feels too labor-focused.
今日は家で仕事をします。
I'll work from home today.
To be employed at a specific company or organization. Used with に.
彼は銀行に勤めている。
He works at a bank.
Transitive verb meaning 'to move' or 'to operate' something.
機械を動かす方法を教えてください。
Please show me how to work the machine.
To operate or manipulate a device or system. More technical.
この装置は簡単に操作できる。
This device is easy to work.