Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Employment" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "employment", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
就業
しゅうぎょう (shūgyō)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
雇用
こよう (koyou)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "employment" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 就業 and 雇用.
In Japanese, 就業 (しゅうぎょう (shūgyō)) is typically associated with "employment; starting work; being at work" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to the act of commencing work, or the state of being employed. Often seen in phrases like '就業時間'.
On the other hand, 雇用 (こよう (koyou)) maps to "employment, hire" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in formal contexts, such as business, economics, or legal discussions related to work. Can refer to the act of hiring. A literal translation of "employment" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "就業"
午前9時に就業する。
Start work at 9 AM.
Bilingual Context for "雇用"
多くの企業が新しい人材の雇用を計画しています。
Many companies are planning the employment of new talent.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "午前9時に ＿＿＿ する。" (Meaning: "Start work at 9 AM.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "就業" fits here because it means "employment; starting work; being at work" in the context of: "Start work at 9 AM.". "雇用" represents "employment, hire".