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:

この仕事はきついです。

Kono shigoto wa kitsui desu

This work is difficult.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 仕事 - noun that means "work"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• きつい - adjective that means "difficult" or "hard"
• です - linking verb that indicates the state or condition of the sentence

この仕事は果ないと思う。

Kono shigoto wa hatanai to omou

I think this work is fruitless.

I don't think this work is over.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 仕事 - noun meaning "work" or "occupation"
• は - topic particle indicating that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence
• 果ない - adjective meaning "unproductive" or "useless"
• と - particle indicating direct or indirect quotation
• 思う - verb meaning "to think" or "to believe"

この仕事は単調でつまらないです。

Kono shigoto wa tanchō de tsumaranai desu

This work is monotonous and boring.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 仕事 - noun that means "work"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this work"
• 単調 - adjective that means "monotonous"
• で - particle that indicates the condition or means by which something is done, in this case, "in a monotonous way"
• つまらない - adjective that means "boring" or "dull"
• です - verb to be in the present, which indicates the affirmation of the sentence

この仕事は諄いです。

Kono shigoto wa yowai desu

This job is tedious.

This work is verbal.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 仕事 - noun that means "work"
• は - topic particle indicating that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence
• 諄い - adjective meaning "monotonous" or "repetitive"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

仕事が捗る。

Shigoto ga hakaru

The work is progressing.

The work progresses.

• 仕事 - work
• が - subject particle
• 捗る - progress, advance

仕事が滞るとストレスが溜まる。

Shigoto ga todokoru to sutoresu ga tamaru

When the work gets still

When work is postponed, stress accumulates.

• 仕事 - work
• が - subject particle
• 滞る - to stand still, to stagnate
• と - Conjunction particle
• ストレス - stress
• が - subject particle
• 溜まる - accumulate, to accumulate

公務は国民のために行われる重要な仕事です。

Koumu wa kokumin no tame ni okonawareru juuyou na shigoto desu

Public affairs are an important job for people.

• 公務 - public work
• は - Topic particle
• 国民 - citizens of the country
• のために - for the benefit of
• 行われる - completed
• 重要な - important
• 仕事 - work
• です - is

効率的に仕事をすることが大切です。

Kōritsu

It is important to work efficiently.

• 効率的に - Adverb that means "efficiently"
• 仕事 - noun that means "work"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - verb that means "to do"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - an auxiliary verb indicating the polite and formal form of the sentence

彼は私の仕事を脅かすつもりだ。

Kare wa watashi no shigoto o odokasu tsumori da

He intends to threaten my work.

He intends to threaten my work.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 私 - Japanese pronoun that means "I"
• の - Japanese particle that indicates possession
• 仕事 - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 脅かす - Japanese verb that means "threaten"
• つもり - Japanese expression that indicates intention
• だ - Japanese verb that means "to be"

彼は仕事を投げ出した。

Kare wa shigoto o nagedashita

He gave up the job.

He plays his job.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 仕事 - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 投げ出した - Japanese verb meaning "to throw away" or "to abandon"