Translation guide
A person skilled in a particular craft or trade, often involving manual skill and artistry.
Referring to a person who makes things skillfully by hand, especially in traditional arts or trades.
The most common and general term for a skilled manual worker or artisan. Covers a wide range of traditional and modern trades.
Highlighting expertise in a particular traditional Japanese craft, often with a title or honorific.
Attach the name of the craft to 職人 to specify the type of craftsman. Very common and natural.
寿司職人になるには長い修行が必要だ。
Becoming a sushi craftsman requires long training.
Describing someone who approaches any task with the care and precision of a craftsman, not necessarily in a manual trade.
職人 is the everyday word for a skilled manual worker. 工匠 is more formal and often historical. 工芸家 specifically refers to an artist in the craft arts (kōgei) field, emphasizing artistic expression over mere technical skill.
職人：大工、左官、寿司職人
Craftsman: carpenter, plasterer, sushi chef
工匠：寺院建築の工匠
Artisan: craftsman of temple architecture
彼は腕のいい職人だ。
He is a skilled craftsman.
この家具は熟練の職人によって作られた。
This furniture was made by a master craftsman.
A more formal or literary term for a craftsman or artisan, often used in historical or traditional contexts.
その寺院は名もなき工匠たちによって建てられた。
The temple was built by nameless craftsmen.
Specifically refers to a craft artist or artisan in the field of applied arts (kōgei), such as ceramics, lacquerware, or textiles. Emphasizes artistic creation.
彼女は有名な陶芸の工芸家です。
She is a famous ceramic craft artist.
He has 40 years of experience as a cabinetmaker (wood joinery craftsman).
A master craftsman or great artisan, often used historically or to praise exceptional skill. Implies fame and mastery.
この刀は名工の手によるものだ。
This sword is the work of a master craftsman.
A term for a highly skilled artisan or master, often used in titles or brand names. Conveys a sense of artistry and tradition.
彼は「木の匠」と呼ばれている。
He is called a 'master of wood' (wood craftsman).
Refers to the spirit or temperament of a craftsman: dedication, meticulousness, and pride in one's work. Often used to describe someone's work ethic.
彼の仕事ぶりには職人気質が感じられる。
You can sense the craftsman's spirit in his work.
彼女はプログラマーだが、職人気質でコードを書く。
She's a programmer, but she writes code with a craftsman's meticulousness.
Similar to 職人気質, meaning having the temperament or disposition of a craftsman. Slightly more colloquial.
うちの父は職人肌で、何でも自分で修理する。
My father has a craftsman's temperament and fixes everything himself.
Craft artist: ceramic artist
In English, 'craftsman' can be used metaphorically for software developers or designers. In Japanese, 職人 is strongly associated with manual trades. Using it for a programmer may sound odd unless you explicitly add 気質 or 肌 to describe their attitude. For a software 'craftsman', consider 熟練したプログラマー (skilled programmer) or use 職人気質のプログラマー.
彼は熟練したプログラマーだ。
He is a skilled programmer.
Craft artist: ceramic artist
In English, 'craftsman' can be used metaphorically for software developers or designers. In Japanese, 職人 is strongly associated with manual trades. Using it for a programmer may sound odd unless you explicitly add 気質 or 肌 to describe their attitude. For a software 'craftsman', consider 熟練したプログラマー (skilled programmer) or use 職人気質のプログラマー.
彼は熟練したプログラマーだ。
He is a skilled programmer.