In the Japanese language, there are numerous words to describe various occupations and professions. Learning these terms not only enhances your vocabulary but also gives you a deeper insight into the culture and how different careers are perceived and valued in Japan. Here, we will explore some common and important occupation words in Japanese.
医者 (いしゃ) – Doctor
彼は優秀な医者です。
A doctor is a professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments.
看護師 (かんごし) – Nurse
彼女は地元の病院で看護師として働いています。
A nurse is a healthcare professional who is trained to care for people who are sick or injured.
教師 (きょうし) – Teacher
彼は中学校で数学の教師です。
A teacher is someone who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue in an educational setting.
会社員 (かいしゃいん) – Company employee
彼女は大手企業の会社員です。
A company employee refers to a person who works for a company, particularly in an office setting, and could have various roles depending on the company’s structure.
エンジニア (えんじにあ) – Engineer
彼はソフトウェアエンジニアとして働いています。
An engineer is a professional who invents, designs, analyzes, builds, and tests machines, systems, structures, and materials to fulfill objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost.
料理人 (りょうりにん) – Chef
彼女はフランス料理の料理人です。
A chef is a trained culinary professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.
農家 (のうか) – Farmer
彼は自家用の農家をしています。
A farmer is someone engaged in agriculture, raising living organisms for food or raw materials.
学生 (がくせい) – Student
彼女は大学の学生です。
A student is a learner or someone who attends an educational institution.
運転手 (うんてんしゅ) – Driver
彼はトラックの運転手です。
A driver is someone who operates a vehicle, often for transporting goods or people from one location to another.
科学者 (かがくしゃ) – Scientist
彼は生物学の科学者です。
A scientist is a person engaging in systematic activities to acquire knowledge that describes and predicts the natural world.
芸術家 (げいじゅつか) – Artist
彼女は独立した芸術家として活動しています。
An artist is a person who creates art. This word often refers to a visual artist.
弁護士 (べんごし) – Lawyer
彼は有名な弁護士です。
A lawyer is a professional who is qualified to offer advice about the law or represent someone in legal matters.
歯科医師 (しかいし) – Dentist
彼女は地元で歯科医師として働いています。
A dentist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
建築家 (けんちくか) – Architect
彼は都市計画の建築家です。
An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings.
写真家 (しゃしんか) – Photographer
彼は自然をテーマにした写真家です。
A photographer is a professional that focuses on the art of taking photographs with a camera.
研究者 (けんきゅうしゃ) – Researcher
彼女は医学の研究者です。
A researcher is someone who conducts research, i.e., an organized and systematic investigation into something.
Learning these occupation words in Japanese can help you discuss professions more fluently and understand more about Japanese society and culture. Whether you’re talking about someone’s job or discussing what you want to be, these words will be incredibly useful in your conversations.
