Japanese word

社会人

Pronunciation

Romajishakaijin

Meaning

  • nounworking adult

Example

私は社会人です。watashi wa sha kai jin de su

I am a working adult.

Illustration for 社会人 (working adult)

More examples

社会人になると、学生のころとは違う責任を感じます。sha kai jin ni na ru to gaku sei no ko ro to wa chiga u seki nin o kan ji ma su

When you become a working adult, you begin to feel a different kind of responsibility from when you were a student.

Core concept

Refers to someone who is part of adult working life rather than a student.

Common phrases

  • 社会人になるsha kai jin ni na ru

    become a working adult

  • 社会人一年目sha kai jin ichi nen me

    first year as a working adult

  • 社会人向けsha kai jin mu ke

    for working adults

Similar words

サラリーマンsararīman: A salaried employee, especially one working for a company.
会社員kaishain: A person employed by a company or corporation.

Definition in Japanese

社会に出て職業を持ち、働いている成人。sha kai ni de te shoku gyō o mo chi hatara i te i ru sei jin

Word origin

The compound 社会人 (shakaijin) consists of 社会 (shakai, "society") and 人 (jin, "person"), expressing membership in society through work.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese word 社会人 (shakaijin) does not mean a sociable person; it usually refers to someone in working life.

Other meanings

  • member of societynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word