Being able to explain your occupation and workplace in Japanese is useful when introducing yourself to Japanese people or during an interview. In this article, we will introduce expressions you can use when explaining your job in Japanese, as well as how to ask questions about the other person's occupation. There is also a "List of Japanese Occupational Titles" that you can use when describing your occupation in Japanese, so please use it as a reference.
1. Explain your job
When describing your job, you will often say, "My occupation is A (watashi no shokugyō wa A desu)" or "I do A (watashi wa A wo shite imasu)." A is replaced with the name of your occupation, such as "doctor." You may also say, "I work at B (watashi wa B de hataraite imasu)," in which case B is replaced with the name of a place, such as "hospital."
Example sentences
My occupation is a doctor.
Watashi no shokugyō wa isha desu.
My profession is a doctor.
Example sentences
I work part-time as a cram school teacher.
Watashi wa juku kōshi no arubaito wo shite imasu.
I work part-time as a cram school teacher.
Example sentences
I work at a restaurant.
Watashi wa resutoran de hataraite imasu.
I work in a restaurant.
2. Ask about their job
When asking about someone's job, you can ask, "What do you do for a living?" or "What is your occupation?"
Example sentences
A: What do you do for work?
B: I'm a taxi driver.
A: Oshigoto wa nani wo shite imasu ka?
B: Takushī untenshu wo shite imasu.
A：What do you do for a living?
B: I am a taxi driver.
Example sentences
A: What is your occupation?
B: I work as a nurse at a hospital.
A: Goshokugyō wa nanidesu ka?
B: Byōin de kangoshi wo shite imasu.
A: What is your profession?
B：I'm a nurse at the hospital
If you want to know what department the person works in, you can ask in the following ways:
Example sentences
Suzuki, which department do you work in?
Suzuki-san wa, dono busho de hataraite imasu ka?
In which department does Mr. Suzuki work?
One way to ask where someone works is to ask, "Where do you work?" (doko de hataraite imasu ka?). In this case, you can answer with a city or place name, such as "Tokyo," or with a specific location, such as "cafe." Depending on the situation, you should give the answer the other person wants to know.
Example sentences
A: Where does Sato work?
B: I work in Tokyo.
A: Satō-san wa doko de hataraite imasu ka?
B: Tōkyō de hataraite imasu
A: Where does Mr. Sato work?
B: He works in Tokyo.
Example sentences
A: Where do you work, Tanaka-san?
B: I work at a cafe.
A: Tanaka-san wa doko de hataraite imasu ka?
B: Kafe de hataraite imasu.
A：Where do you work, Mr. Tanaka?
B: I work in a cafe.
3. Japanese expressions for work
We will introduce Japanese expressions for various jobs.
Company-related occupations
Salaryman (Sararī-man): office worker
Salesman (eigyō-man): salesman
Researcher (kenkyū-in): researcher
Marketer (māketā): marketer
Keiri: accounting clerk
Clerk (jimu-in): clerk
Secretary (hisho): secretary
engineer (enjinia): engineer
Director (direkutā): director
Jinji: Human resources staff member
Receptionist (uketsuke): receptionist
Health and welfare-related occupations
Doctor (ishi): doctor
Nurse (kangoshi): nurse
Associate nurse (jun-kankoshi): associate nurse
Nursing assistant (kango joshu): nursing assistant
Midwife (josanshi): midwife
public health nurse: public health nurse
medical clerk (iryō jimu-in): medical clerk
Medical technician (iryō gijutsu-sha): medical technician
Care worker (kaigo fukushishi): care worker
Care manager (keamanējā): care manager
Dental hygienist (shika eiseishi): dental hygienist
Pharmacist (yakuzaishi): pharmacist
chiropractor: chiropractor
Nutritionist (eiyōshi): nutritionist
Occupational therapist (sagyō ryōhōshi)
Physiotherapist (rigaku ryōhōshi): physical therapist
Paramedics (kyūkyū tai'in): paramedics
Beauty and fashion related occupations
Barber (riyōshi): barber
hairdresser: hairdresser
Stylist (sutairisuto): stylist
Esthetician: esthetician
Nail technician (neirisuto)
Model: model
Therapist (serapisuto): beauty therapist
Vehicle-related occupations
Taxi driver (takushī doraibā): taxi driver
Bus driver (basu untenshu): bus driver
Delivery person (takuhai gyōsha)
newspaper delivery person (shinbun haitatsu-in): paperboy
Pilot (pairotto): pilot
Cabin attendant (kyabin atendanto): cabin attendant
Navigator (kōkaishi): navigator
Education-related occupations
sensei: teacher
Juku teacher (juku kōshi): cram school teacher
Private tutor (kateikyōshi): tutor
Nursery teacher (hoikushi): nursery teacher
Instructor (insutorakutā): instructor
Examination supervisor
university professor (daigaku kyōju): university professor
Food and beverage related occupations
Chef (shefu): chef
Patissier: pastry chef
Waiter (ueitā): waiter
Cook (chōri-shi): cook
Hall staff (hōrusutaffu): Floor staff member
Kitchen staff: kitchen staff member
IT/Web related occupations
WEB designer (webu dezainā): WEB designer
System engineer (shisutemu enjinia): system engineer
Programmer (puroguramā): programmer
Illustrator (irasutorētā): illustrator
Writer (raitā): writer
4. Japanese expressions for where you work
Here are some Japanese expressions for where you work.
Entertainment facilities
Karaoke (karaoke): karaoke
Pachinko: pachinko
movie theater (eigakan): movie theater
Game center (gēmusentā): game arcade
Bowling alley (bōringujō): bowling alley
Onsen: hot spring
Hotel (hoteru): hotel
Sports facilities
Golf course (gorufujō): golf course
Pool (pūru): pool
Ski resort (sukījō): ski resort
Eating and drinking
Family restaurant (famiresu): family restaurant
Izakaya: pub
Kissa-ten: coffee shop
Ramen shop (rāmen-ten): ramen shop
Yakiniku-ten: barbecue restaurant
Sushi-ya: sushi restaurant
Food court (fūdokōto): food court
Bakery (pan-ya): bakery
Cake shop (kēki-ya): cake shop
Sweets shop (suitsu-ten): sweets shop
bento shop (bentō-ya)
Retail stores
Konbini: convenience store
Super (sūpā): supermarket
Home electronics mass retailer (kaden ryōhan-ten)
Mobile phone shop (keitai shoppu): mobile shop
Drugstore (doraggusutoa): drugstore
Bookstore (shoten): bookstore
Home improvement center (hōmusentā)
Hana-ya: flower shop
Pet shop (petto shoppu): pet shop
Travel agency (ryokōkaisha)
5. Employment and working conditions
We will introduce Japanese expressions for employment types and working conditions.
Full-time employee
Contract employee (keiyaku shain): contract employee
Part-time (pātotaimu): part timer
Part-time worker (arubaito)
Temporary worker (haken shain)
Freeter (furītā): freeter
Freelance (furīransu): freelance
Sole proprietor (kojinjigyōnushi): small business owner
Let's practice explaining your job in Japanese using example sentences. By the way, when introducing yourself in Japanese, do you know how to express your name and hobbies? There are many expressions you can use to introduce yourself and let others know about you. If you are even slightly curious about Japanese, You can experience Japanese language lessons taught by experienced teachers for free. Human Academy Japanese Language Learning Plus Register for free Would you like to try it?