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:

彼女は仕事を確りとこなす。

Kanojo wa shigoto o tashikiri to konasu

She does her job solidly and reliably.

She does the job confirmed.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 仕事 (shigoto) - Job
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 確り (tashika ri) - firmly, securely
• と (to) - connecting particle
• こなす (konasu) - Perform, fulfill

私は新しい仕事に就くことを決めました。

Watashi wa atarashii shigoto ni tsuku koto o kimemashita

I decided to take on a new job.

I decided to get a new job.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• 仕事 (shigoto) - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the direction or target of an action
• 就く (tsuku) - Japanese verb that means "to assume" or "to start"
• こと (koto) - Japanese noun that indicates an action or event
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 決めました (kimemashita) - Japanese verb in the past that means "decided"

私はその仕事を辞退した。

Watashi wa sono shigoto wo jitai shita

I turned down that job.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• その (sono) - 日本語の指示代名詞で「それ」にあたるのは「あれ」です。
• 仕事 (shigoto) - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "work".
• 辞退した (jitai shita) - Japanese verb that means "to refuse" or "to decline," conjugated in the past.

私はその仕事に勤まると思います。

Watashi wa sono shigoto ni tsutsumaru to omoimasu

I believe I can do this work.

I think I'm going to work for this work.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• その (sono) - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
• 仕事 (shigoto) - noun that means "work"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the function or the destination of an action
• 勤まる (tsutsumaru) - verb that means "to be able to do" or "to be suitable for"
• と (to) - particle that indicates the direct quotation of a phrase or thought
• 思います (omoimasu) - verb meaning "to think" or "to believe"

私はその仕事を引き受けるつもりです。

Watashi wa sono shigoto o hikiukeru tsumori desu

I intend to take this work.

I will accept this work.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• その (sono) - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
• 仕事 (shigoto) - noun that means "work"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "work"
• 引き受ける (hikiukeru) - verb meaning "to assume" or "to accept"
• つもり (tsumori) - expression that indicates the intention to do something
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating a polite or respectful way of speaking

私は仕事と家庭を兼ねることができます。

Watashi wa shigoto to katei wo kaneru koto ga dekimasu

I can reconcile work and family.

I can serve as work and home.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 仕事 (shigoto) - noun that means "work"
• と (to) - particle indicating a connection between two things
• 家庭 (katei) - noun meaning "family" or "home"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 兼ねる (kaneru) - verb meaning "to reconcile" or "to bring together"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - expression that indicates ability or capacity, meaning "to be able to"

私は今日の仕事を済ますつもりです。

Watashi wa kyō no shigoto o sumasu tsumori desu

I intend to finish my work today.

I will finish my work today.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 今日 (kyou) - means "today" in Japanese.
• の (no) - Possession particle in Japanese
• 仕事 (shigoto) - "work" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 済ます (sumasu) - means "conclude" or "end" in Japanese
• つもり (tsumori) - means "intention" or "planning" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私は祖父の仕事を継ぐつもりです。

Watashi wa sofu no shigoto wo tsugu tsumori desu

I intend to follow my grandfather's work.

I will take on my grandfather's work.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 祖父 - noun "grandfather"
• の - possessive particle, indicating that the grandfather is "mine"
• 仕事 - "work"
• を - direct object particle, indicating that work is the object of the action
• 継ぐ - verb "to continue", "successor"
• つもり - expression indicating intention or plan
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

膨大な量の仕事があります。

Boudai na ryō no shigoto ga arimasu

There is an enormous amount of work.

• 膨大な - It means "enormous" or "vast".
• 量 - It means "quantity."
• の - it is a particle that indicates possession or attribution.
• 仕事 - It means "work" or "task".
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• あります - It is the verb "to have" or "to exist" in a polite form.

製作は私たちの仕事です。

Seisaku wa watashitachi no shigoto desu

Production is our job.

Production is our job.

• 製作 (seisaku) - production, manufacturing
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 仕事 (shigoto) - work, employment
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form