Japanese word

仕事

Pronunciation

Romajishigoto

Meaning

  • nounwork

Example

今日は仕事があります。kyō wa shi goto ga a ri ma su

I have work today.

Illustration for 仕事 (work)

More examples

お父さんは仕事に行きます。o chichi sa n wa shi goto ni i ki ma su

Dad goes to work.

仕事で新しい人に会いました。shi goto de atara shi i hito ni a i ma shi ta

I met someone new through work.

Core concept

Centers on an activity or responsibility that a person takes on and carries through.

Common phrases

  • 仕事をするshi goto o su ru

    work

  • 仕事があるshi goto ga a ru

    have work

  • 仕事に行くshi goto ni i ku

    go to work

  • 仕事を探すshi goto o saga su

    look for work

  • 仕事を終えるshi goto o o e ru

    finish work

Similar words

作業sagyō: A specific task or set of tasks carried out for a purpose.
職業shokugyō: A person's regular occupation or profession.
勤めtsutome: Employment at an organization or place of business.

Definition in Japanese

生活のために行う職業上の活動。また、片づけたり成し遂げたりすべき作業。sei katsu no ta me ni okona u shoku gyō jō no katsu dō ma ta kata zu ke ta ri na shi to ge ta ri su be ki sa gyō

Word origin

The native Japanese compound 仕事 (shigoto) combines 仕 (shi, "serve or do") and 事 (koto, "matter or thing"), expressing something that one does.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese small talk, 仕事 (shigoto) is a common topic for asking what someone does, while the person's employer or salary may remain unstated.

Other meanings

  • jobnoun
  • tasknoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 仕事ぶりshigotoburiwork performancenoun

Word lists with this word