noun
job satisfaction; sense of fulfillment from work; reason to work
Refers to the feeling that one's work is worthwhile, rewarding, or meaningful. Often used in discussions about motivation and workplace well-being.
この仕事には働きがいがある。
This job gives me a sense of fulfillment.
働きがいを感じられないと、長く続けるのは難しい。
If you can't feel job satisfaction, it's hard to keep going for long.
Compound of 働き (hataraki, 'work') + がい (-gai, 'worth, effect, value'). The suffix がい derives from 甲斐 (kai), meaning 'worth' or 'effect'.