Translation and Meaning of: 仕事 - shigoto

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about Japanese culture, you may have come across the word 仕事[しごと]. It is common in daily life and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to professional environments. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is perceived in the Japanese language. Additionally, we will provide tips for memorizing it and its use in real situations.

The meaning and origin of 仕事[しごと]

The word 仕事[しごと] means "work" or "employment." It is composed of the kanjis 仕 (to serve, to perform) and 事 (thing, matter), which together convey the idea of carrying out a task or fulfilling a function. Unlike 働く[はたらく], which is the verb "to work," 仕事 refers to work as a concept or specific activity.

Although its origin is not entirely clear, it is believed that the term emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868), when Japan underwent social and economic changes that valued formal work. Today, it is an essential word for anyone studying Japanese, especially for those who intend to work or live in Japan.

How 仕事[しごと] is used in everyday Japanese

In Japan, 仕事 is a neutral and widely used word. It can refer to both a permanent job and temporary tasks. For example, saying "今日は仕事があります" (きょうはしごとがあります) means "Today I have work." It also appears in expressions like 仕事探し[しごとさがし] (job search) and 仕事仲間[しごとなかま] (colleagues at work).

Culturally, the term carries connotations of responsibility and dedication, reflecting Japanese values such as effort and discipline. In companies, it is common to hear phrases like "仕事に集中する" (しごとにしゅうちゅうする), which means "to concentrate on work."

Tips for memorizing and using 仕事[しごと] correctly

An effective way to fix 仕事 is to associate it with practical situations. If you are already working or studying, try to use the word in real contexts, such as "今週は仕事が忙しい" (こんしゅうはしごとがいそがしい – "This week I am busy with work"). Repeating sentences out loud also helps with memorization.

Another tip is to observe the use of the word in animes, dramas, or Japanese news. Many productions depict the work environment, which makes it easier to understand the term. For example, in series like "Shirokuma Café" or "Hataraku Maou-sama!", 仕事 frequently appears in everyday dialogues.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 業務 (Gyomu) - Activities or operations of a business.
• 仕事 (Shigoto) - General work; task performed.
• 職 (Shoku) - Specific profession or position.
• 職業 ( shokugyō) - Profession or occupation in a broader sense.
• 職務 (Shokumu) - Duties or responsibilities of a job.
• 職場 (Shokuba) - Workplace.
• 職員 (Shokuin) - Employees or staff of an organization.
• 職人 (Shokunin) - Artisan or skilled worker; specialist in a craft.
• 職探し (Shoku sagashi) - Job search.
• 職探しする (Shoku sagashi suru) - Job search.
• 職探し中 (Shoku sagashi-chū) - Currently looking for a job.
• 職探し中の人 (Shoku sagashi-chū no hito) - Person currently seeking employment.
• 職探し中の若者 (Shoku sagashi-chū no wakamono) - Young people seeking employment.
• 職探し中の学生 (Shoku sagashi-chū no gakusei) - Students who are looking for a job.
• 職探し中の社会人 (Shoku sagashi-chū no shakaijin) - Professionals who are seeking employment.
• 人生 (Jinsei) - Life, referring to the journey of life that includes work.

仕事

Romaji: shigoto
Kana: しごと
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: work; occupation; job

Meaning in English: work;occupation;employment

Definition: do something - Activities to make a living.

Example Sentences - (仕事) shigoto

See below some example sentences:

私たちはグループで一緒に仕事をします。

Watashitachi wa gurūpu de issho ni shigoto o shimasu

We work together as a group.

We work together in the group.

• 私たちは - "We"
• グループで - "in group"
• 一緒に - Together
• 仕事をします - "we work"

忠実に仕事をする。

Chuujitsu ni shigoto wo suru

Do work with loyalty.

Work faithfully.

• 忠実に - faithfully, faithfully
• 仕事 - work, employment
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - to do, to accomplish

彼女は私に仕事を言い付けた。

Kanojo wa watashi ni shigoto o iitsuketa

She gave me work orders.

She gave me a job.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私に (watashi ni) - for me
• 仕事 (shigoto) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 言い付けた (iitsuketa) - ordenou

土を耕すことは偉大な仕事です。

tsuchi wo tagayasu koto wa idai na shigoto desu

Cultivating the earth is a great work.

The coating soil is a great job.

• 土を耕すこと - It means "to plow the land".
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the theme of the sentence.
• 偉大な - Adjective meaning "great" or "admirable".
• 仕事 - Noun meaning "work" or "occupation".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

依頼を受けた仕事を全力でこなします。

Irai wo uketa shigoto wo zenryoku de konashimasu

I will do my best to do the job I have been given.

I will do my best to do the job I have been given.

• 依頼 - request, application
• を - direct object particle
• 受けた - received (past of the verb 受ける) receive
• 仕事 - work
• を - direct object particle
• 全力で - with all effort, with all strength
• こなします - accomplish, fulfill (verb こなす)

介護は大切な仕事です。

Kaigo wa taisetsu na shigoto desu

Taking care of the elderly is an important job.

Nursing is an important work.

• 介護 - care, assistance
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• な - adjective particle
• 仕事 - work, employment
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

仕事を済ませる。

Shigoto wo sumaseru

Complete the work.

Finish the work.

• 仕事 (shigoto) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 済ませる (sumaseru) - complete, finish

この仕事の候補者は誰ですか？

Kono shigoto no kouhosha wa dare desu ka?

Who are the candidates for this work?

Who is the candidate for this work?

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 仕事 - "work"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 候補者 - noun "candidate"
• は - topic particle "about"
• 誰 - interrogative pronoun "who"
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle

この仕事は私の業です。

Kono shigoto wa watashi no gyou desu

This work is my responsibility.

This work is my job.

• この - this
• 仕事 - work
• は - is
• 私 - I
• の - of
• 業 - responsibility
• です - is

この仕事に適する人材を探しています。

Kono shigoto ni tekisuru jinzai wo sagashiteimasu

We are looking for a suitable candidate for this work.

I am looking for a person who is suitable for this work.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 仕事 - noun meaning "work" or "occupation"
• に - particle that indicates destination or goal
• 適する - Verb that means "to be suitable" or "to be appropriate"
• 人材 - noun that means "talent" or "human resources"
• を - particle that indicates direct object
• 探しています - verb that means "to search for" or "to look for" in the present continuous