Translation guide
A person who does physical work, often unskilled or manual. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 労働者, but other words carry nuances of blue-collar work, day labor, or specific industries.
To refer to a person who works, especially in a physical or manual job, in a general or formal context.
The standard, neutral term for 'laborer' or 'worker'. Used in formal contexts, news, and labor rights discussions.
彼は工場の労働者です。
He is a factory laborer.
労働者の権利を守る。
Protect the rights of laborers.
Refers to a worker engaged in a specific task or operation, often at a site like construction or factory. Slightly more concrete than 労働者.
To emphasize the physical, often unskilled nature of the work, or to refer to a blue-collar worker.
Literally 'physical laborer'. Clearly denotes someone doing manual work. Common and straightforward.
彼は肉体労働者として生計を立てている。
He makes a living as a manual laborer.
To refer to a laborer hired by the day, often without a permanent contract.
To specify a laborer working in construction.
Standard term for a construction worker. Combines 建設 (construction) and 作業員 (worker).
建設作業員が高層ビルを建てている。
Construction laborers are building a skyscraper.
To refer to a person doing manual work on a farm.
A farm worker, often hired for seasonal labor.
農作業員を募集しています。
We are hiring farm laborers.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often use more specific job titles (e.g., 大工 for carpenter, 工場勤務 for factory worker) rather than the generic 'laborer'. Using 労働者 in casual contexts can sound overly formal or political.
彼は港で働く労働者です。
He is a laborer at the port.
多くの労働者が職を失った。
Many laborers lost their jobs.
作業員が道路を修理している。
Laborers are repairing the road.
A phrase meaning 'a person who does physical work'. More descriptive and casual than 肉体労働者.
力仕事をする人を探しています。
We are looking for laborers (people to do physical work).
Specifically a day laborer. Common in contexts of construction or dock work.
彼は日雇い労働者として働いている。
He works as a day laborer.
Short for 日雇い労働者. Can be used as a noun meaning 'day labor' or 'day laborer'.
日雇いの仕事を探す。
Look for day labor work.
A somewhat dated or rough term for a construction laborer, especially one doing earthworks. Can be considered derogatory; use with caution.
May sound derogatory or old-fashioned. Use 建設作業員 for neutral contexts.
昔、土方として働いていた。
He used to work as a construction laborer (in the old days).
Historical term for a male farm laborer, often live-in. Rarely used today except in historical contexts.
江戸時代の作男の生活は厳しかった。
The life of a farm laborer in the Edo period was harsh.