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仕事 — meaning in English: work

shigoto · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

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仕事
shigoto
心理学
shinrigaku
スティック
sutikku
収入
shūnyū
ゲイン
gein
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neutral very common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word 仕事 (shigoto) when discussing their jobs, responsibilities, or tasks in professional settings. For instance, in a casual conversation among friends, one might say, 'I had a long 仕事 today' to express fatigue from work. In formal settings, such as job interviews or meetings, it's common to hear phrases like '私の仕事は...' (My work is...) to describe one's profession.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym for 仕事 (shigoto) is 業務 (gyomu), which specifically refers to tasks or duties in a professional context. While 仕事 encompasses a broader meaning of work in general, including both paid and unpaid tasks, 業務 is more formal and typically used in a business environment.
Culture
The word 仕事 (shigoto) is derived from the Kanji characters '仕' (shi) meaning 'to do' and '事' (goto) meaning 'thing' or 'matter.' This reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on diligence and respect for work. Interestingly, the concept of work in Japan is deeply intertwined with social identity, where people often define themselves by their professions.
FAQ
Q.What does 仕事 mean in English?
The word 仕事 (shigoto) translates to 'work' in English, referring to both professional tasks and general activities that require effort.
Q.How do you use 仕事 in a sentence?
You can use 仕事 in sentences like '私は毎日仕事に行きます' (I go to work every day) to express your routine related to your job.
Q.Are there any common mistakes with the word 仕事?
A common mistake is to confuse 仕事 with 勉強 (benkyou), which means 'study.' While 仕事 refers to work in a professional context, 勉強 relates to academic study.
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