Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Employee" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "employee", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
社員
しゃいん (shain)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
従業員
じゅうぎょういん (juugyouin)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "employee" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 社員 and 従業員.
In Japanese, 社員 (しゃいん (shain)) is typically associated with "employee (of a company); staff; company member" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to an employee, staff member, or corporate worker of a company. Often used as 会社の社員 or 正社員. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Staff! "Haruka部長, I want to be your exclusive staff member and stay by your side 24 hours a day!" ...っ! T-To be next to me 24 hours! B-Baka! That's a severe violation of office boundaries! But... since I also want you near, I will hire you as my exclusive husband for life! Get ready! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『しゃいん（社員）よ！『ハルカ部長の専属社員として、24時間お側に置いてください！仕事もプライベートも全力で支えます！』って…っ！専属社員！バカ！そんなに近くにいたいなんて！…じゃあ、私の専属旦那様という役職で、一生私の隣で甘い勤務を遂行しなさい！残業代は私の愛のキスよ！』.
On the other hand, 従業員 (じゅうぎょういん (juugyouin)) maps to "employee, worker" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to people who work for a company or organization. Often used in formal contexts or when talking about a group of workers.. A literal translation of "employee" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "社員"
そのグローバル企業は、すべての_______が心身ともに健康で活力を持って働けるよう、福利厚生の充実に非常に力を入れています。
The global enterprise is putting extreme effort into enriching welfare benefits so that all employees can work with health and vitality both physically and mentally.
Bilingual Context for "従業員"
あの会社の従業員は皆、親切です。
All the employees of that company are kind.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "そのグローバル企業は、すべての_______が心身ともに健康で活力を持って働けるよう、福利厚生の充実に非常に力を入れています。" (Meaning: "The global enterprise is putting extreme effort into enriching welfare benefits so that all employees can work with health and vitality both physically and mentally.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "社員" fits here because it means "employee (of a company); staff; company member" in the context of: "The global enterprise is putting extreme effort into enriching welfare benefits so that all employees can work with health and vitality both physically and mentally.". "従業員" represents "employee, worker".