Translation guide
Describes the state of not having a job. Japanese expressions vary by formality, context, and whether the lack of work is voluntary or involuntary.
To state that someone does not have a job, in a neutral or factual way.
The most direct and common word for 'unemployed' or 'jobless'. Used in official contexts and everyday conversation.
彼は今無職です。
He is currently jobless.
無職の期間が長くなってきた。
My period of being jobless is getting longer.
Literally 'there is no work'. A natural, slightly more conversational way to say you don't have a job.
今、仕事がなくて困っている。
I'm jobless right now and it's tough.
Means 'currently unemployed', often implying one is looking for work. Slightly more formal than 無職.
彼は失業中で、毎日求人を探している。
He is jobless and searches job listings every day.
To describe joblessness in official, economic, or formal contexts.
Refers to an 'unemployed person' in economic statistics or formal reports.
失業者数が増加している。
The number of jobless people is increasing.
The state of unemployment, often used in compound terms like 失業率 (unemployment rate).
To casually mention not having a job, often in personal conversation.
Very casual way to say 'I'm not working'. Common in spoken Japanese among friends.
今、仕事してないんだ。
I'm jobless right now.
Acronym for 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training'. Used for young people who are jobless and not seeking work. Can carry negative connotations.
彼は大学を出てからずっとニートだ。
He's been a NEET (jobless and not in school) since graduating college.
To specify that joblessness is due to being laid off or a company closing.
Literally 'got fired', but often used broadly for losing a job. Casual.
先月、首になってまだ仕事を探している。
I got fired last month and am still jobless.
Means 'got restructured/laid off'. Common in corporate contexts.
リストラされて、今は無職です。
I was laid off and am now jobless.
無職 simply means 'without a job', regardless of reason or desire to work. 失業中 implies you are actively seeking work and is closer to 'unemployed' in the economic sense. Use 無職 for a neutral statement of fact; use 失業中 when emphasizing the job-search aspect.
There is no single adjective like 'jobless' in Japanese. Instead, use noun phrases like 無職 or verb phrases like 仕事がない. Saying ジョブレス is not natural.
彼は半年間無職です。
He's been jobless for six months.
失業率が上昇している。
The jobless rate is rising.
失業率が過去最低を記録した。
The jobless rate hit a record low.