Translation and Meaning of: 役職 - yakushoku

The Japanese word 「役職」 (yakushoku) is composed of two kanji: 「役」 and 「職」. The first kanji, 「役」, means "role," "function," or "position," and is commonly used in contexts related to work or the performance of specific functions. The second kanji, 「職」, is used to denote "work," "occupation," or "position." Together, these characters form the expression that can be translated as "position" or "title" in a professional context.

The etymology of the word 「役職」 refers to the fusion of the concepts of duty and position. 「役」 has a radical that suggests work or task, usually in service of something greater, such as a government or an institution. 「職」, on the other hand, is more focused on the nature of the work itself, specifying the function or specialization. The combination of these elements results in an expression used to designate a post or position within a hierarchical organization, often used to define the degree of responsibility and authority of a person within a company or institution.

In Japanese corporate culture, the hierarchical structure is highly valued, and terms like 「役職」 play a crucial role in defining responsibilities and duties. Furthermore, the definition of 「役職」 goes beyond the simple designation of a position; it reflects the social and professional expectations regarding an individual's performance and contribution to the organization. This includes the understanding that with certain positions come increased responsibilities and an expectation of leadership and guidance.

The 「役職」 can vary widely depending on the context, with various titles such as managers, directors, and supervisors, each with their specific roles. In many Japanese companies, especially large ones, there is a well-defined hierarchy of positions, where movement between roles, meaning promotions and career advancements, is highly regulated and based on merit, experience, and the ability to fulfill assigned functions. Thus, understanding the meaning and importance of 「役職」 is essential for anyone looking to navigate successfully in the business world in Japan.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 職位 (shokui) - position or role in an organization.
• ポジション (pojishon) - position, often used in more informal or business-related contexts.
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role or function played within a group or organization.
• 職務 (shokumu) - specific duties or responsibilities of a position.
• 職業 (shokugyou) - profession or occupation in general.

役職

Romaji: yakushoku
Kana: やくしょく
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: post; managerial position; official position

Meaning in English: post;managerial position;official position

Definition: Refers to the work and responsibilities of an organization or group.

Example Sentences - (役職) yakushoku

See below some example sentences:

彼は新しい役職に任命された。

Kare wa atarashii yakushoku ni ninmei sareta

He was appointed to a new post.

He was appointed as a new position.

• 彼 (kare) - he
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• 役職 (yakushoku) - position
• に (ni) - target particle
• 任命された (ninmei sareta) - was appointed

私の役職はマネージャーです。

Watashi no yakushoku wa manējā desu

My position is manager.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 役職 - noun meaning "office" or "position"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "is"
• マネージャー - noun meaning "manager"
• です - verb that indicates to be or to exist, equivalent to "is"