Translation guide
In Japan, the concept of 'annual paid vacation' is most commonly expressed as 年次有給休暇 (nenji yūkyū kyūka), often shortened to 有給休暇 (yūkyū kyūka) or simply 有給 (yūkyū). While these terms are standard in workplace contexts, actual usage involves cultural nuances around requesting and taking leave.
The formal, legal, or standard term used in employment contracts, company policies, and official documents.
The full legal term for annual paid leave. Used in official documents, labor law, and formal company policies.
年次有給休暇の取得率は年々上がっています。
The rate of taking annual paid leave is increasing year by year.
The most common term in everyday workplace conversation. Short for 年次有給休暇.
来週、有給休暇を取る予定です。
I plan to take paid vacation next week.
Casual abbreviation used in conversation. Often used with 取る (to take).
明日、有給取っていい？
Can I take a paid day off tomorrow?
Expressing the action of taking or using paid vacation days.
The most common way to say 'take paid leave'. 有給 can be replaced with 有給休暇 or 年次有給休暇 for more formality.
夏に一週間、有給を取って旅行に行きます。
I'll take a week of paid leave in the summer and go on a trip.
A more formal way to say 'take paid leave', often used in written requests or official procedures.
有給休暇を取得する際は、事前に申請が必要です。
When taking paid leave, prior application is required.
Refers to using up remaining paid leave days, often before they expire or before leaving a job.
退職前に有給消化をしなければならない。
I have to use up my paid leave before resigning.
How to ask for or apply for annual paid vacation in a Japanese workplace.
Standard phrase for 'apply for paid leave'. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
有給の申請をオンラインで行ってください。
Please apply for paid leave online.
A slightly more casual version of 有給の申請をする.
明日の有給を申請するのを忘れた。
I forgot to apply for tomorrow's paid leave.
Referring to the number of paid leave days or the right to take them.
The number of paid leave days. Commonly used in HR contexts.
今年の有給日数はあと10日残っています。
I have 10 days of paid leave left this year.
The right to paid leave. Used in legal or formal discussions.
有給休暇の権利は労働者に保障されています。
The right to paid leave is guaranteed to workers.
Understanding the cultural context where taking full annual paid vacation is often discouraged or seen as burdensome to colleagues.
When requesting leave, it's common to use apologetic or softening expressions to show you're not inconveniencing others.
申し訳ありませんが、来週の金曜日に有給をいただけないでしょうか。
I'm sorry to ask, but could I possibly take a paid day off next Friday?
To ease concerns, you might mention that your work will be handled or that you'll make up for it.
有給を取る間、仕事は他のメンバーに引き継いでおきます。
While I'm on paid leave, I'll hand over my work to other team members.
The word 'annual' in 'annual paid vacation' is not directly translated as 毎年 (every year) or 年次 (annual) in casual speech. The standard term 有給休暇 already implies it is granted yearly. Using 年次 is only for formal/legal contexts.
有給 specifically means 'paid'. 休暇 (kyūka) means 'holiday' or 'leave' in general, which could be unpaid. Always use 有給 when you need to specify paid leave.
年次有給休暇が20日あります。
I have 20 days of annual paid vacation.
彼女は今週、有給休暇中です。
She's on annual paid vacation this week.