Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "働く", "しごと", "作品", "仕掛品"
All represent the core concept "work", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
働く
はたらく (hataraku)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
しごと
しごと (shigoto)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
作品
さくひん (sakuhin)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
仕掛品
しかかりひん (shikakarihin)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "work" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "働く", "しごと", "作品", "仕掛品" based on context.
- 働く (はたらく (hataraku) - Level: N5): Maps to "to work" and is used when Describes the act of working or being employed. Polite form is 働きます.
- しごと (しごと (shigoto) - Level: N5): Maps to "work, job" and is used when Refers to employment or tasks. To work is 働きます.
- 作品 (さくひん (sakuhin) - Level: N3): Maps to "work (of art, literature, etc.), creation" and is used when Refers to something created by an artist, writer, musician, craftsman, etc., such as a painting, novel, film, or piece of music. It carries a sense of artistic or creative merit..
- 仕掛品 (しかかりひん (shikakarihin) - Level: C2): Maps to "work in process (WIP)" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "働く"
私の父は銀行で働いています。
My father works at a bank.
Context for "しごと"
彼は新しい仕事を探しています。
He is looking for a new job.
Context for "作品"
この美術館には有名な画家の作品がたくさんあります。
This museum has many works by famous painters.
Context for "仕掛品"
私は仕掛品に興味があります。
I am interested in work in process (WIP).
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私の父は銀行で働いています。" (Meaning: "My father works at a bank.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "働く" is correct here because it represents "to work" in the context: "My father works at a bank.".