Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Retirement" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "retirement", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
退職
たいしょく (taishoku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
引退
いんたい (intai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "retirement" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 退職 and 引退.
In Japanese, 退職 (たいしょく (taishoku)) is typically associated with "retirement; resignation; leaving job" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to retiring or resigning from one's job/company. Can be used with する as a verb.
On the other hand, 引退 (いんたい (intai)) maps to "retirement" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to withdrawing from one's career, public life, or a specific activity, often due to age or choice. 仕事や公的な活動、または特定の競技などから身を引くこと。年齢や本人の意思による場合が多いです。. A literal translation of "retirement" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "退職"
定年を迎えた父は、先月無事に会社を退職しました。
My father, who reached retirement age, successfully retired from the company last month.
Bilingual Context for "引退"
彼は昨年、プロ野球選手を引退した。
He retired from being a professional baseball player last year.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "定年を迎えた父は、先月無事に会社を ＿＿＿ しました。" (Meaning: "My father, who reached retirement age, successfully retired from the company last month.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "退職" fits here because it means "retirement; resignation; leaving job" in the context of: "My father, who reached retirement age, successfully retired from the company last month.". "引退" represents "retirement".