Translation and Meaning of: 就職 - shuushoku

The Japanese word 就職 [しゅうしょく] is an essential term for anyone looking to understand the job market in Japan or studying the Japanese language. Its meaning goes beyond simple translation, involving important cultural and social aspects in the lives of Japanese people. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is used in daily life, and why it is so relevant for students and professionals.

In addition to explaining the meaning and writing of 就職, we will discuss its cultural context, frequency of use, and even tips for memorizing this word efficiently. If you've ever wondered how the Japanese view the process of getting a job or how this word appears in everyday conversations, keep reading to find out.

Meaning and Use of 就職 [しゅうしょく]

就職 [しゅうしょく] means "employment" or "to get a job," specifically referring to the act of joining a company after studies or in a new phase of one's professional life. Unlike simply "to work" (働く), this word carries the idea of formal employment, often full-time and with stability.

In Japan, the term is often associated with 就職活動 [しゅうしょくかつどう], or "shūshoku katsudō," which is the job hunting process carried out by university students. This period is crucial in the lives of many young Japanese, as establishing a stable career is highly valued in Japanese society.

Origin and Composition of Kanjis

The word 就職 is composed of two kanji: 就 (shū) and 職 (shoku). The first, 就, means "to assume" or "to engage in," while 職 means "employment" or "occupation." Together, they convey the idea of taking on formal employment, reflecting the importance placed on professional stability in Japan.

It is worth noting that 職 is a common kanji in words related to work, such as 職業 [しょくぎょう] (profession) and 転職 [てんしょく] (job change). This root helps to better understand the context in which 就職 is used, always connected to formal jobs and established careers.

Cultural and Social Context

In Japan, 就職 is not just a word, but a concept that reflects deep values of society. Securing a good job after graduation is seen as an important milestone, and many students devote months (or even years) to 就職活動 to ensure a position in renowned companies.

This process is so significant that there are even 就職内定 [しゅうしょくないてい] ceremonies, where companies officially confirm the hiring of new employees. This formalization demonstrates the weight that the word 就職 carries in Japanese corporate culture, very different from how other countries view entry into the job market.

Tips for Memorizing and Using Correctly

An efficient way to memorize 就職 is to associate it with the job search process in Japan. Since many students go through this, the word frequently appears in news, dramas, and even animes that depict university life. Watching content that showcases 就職活動 can help reinforce the term in a contextualized manner.

Additionally, it is worth practicing sentences like "大学を卒業したら、就職します" (After graduating from university, I will find a job). Using the word in real contexts makes it easier to memorize and helps to understand its practical meaning in the Japanese language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 就業 (Shūgyō) - Work or employment activity.
• 就職活動 (Shūshoku Katsudō) - Job search activities.
• 就職先 (Shūshokusaki) - Place or company where you will work.
• 就職希望 (Shūshoku Kibō) - Desire or expectation of employment.
• 職に就く (Shoku ni Tsuku) - Get a job or position of work.
• 職を得る (Shoku o Eru) - Get a job or position.

就職

Romaji: shuushoku
Kana: しゅうしょく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: find a job; inauguration

Meaning in English: finding employment;inauguration

Definition: Going out and working in society.

Example Sentences - (就職) shuushoku

See below some example sentences:

私は就職活動中です。

Watashi wa shūshoku katsudōchū desu

I'm looking for a job.

I'm looking for a job.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 就職 (shūshoku) - noun meaning "job"
• 活動 (katsudō) - noun meaning "activity"
• 中 (chū) - suffix indicating "in the middle of", in this case "in the middle of looking for a job"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating the polite and formal form of the present tense of the verb "ser/estar"