Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'paid holiday' is most commonly expressed as 有給休暇 (yūkyū kyūka), often shortened to 有休 (yūkyū) in casual contexts. It refers to paid leave from work, typically as a legal right. There are also related terms for specific types of paid leave, such as national holidays or company-designated days off.
The standard term for paid vacation or personal leave days that an employee is entitled to.
The formal, full term for paid leave. Used in official contexts, contracts, and HR documents.
有給休暇を申請する。
I apply for paid leave.
有給休暇が10日間残っている。
I have 10 days of paid leave left.
The common abbreviation of 有給休暇. Used in everyday conversation and informal writing.
明日、有休を取るつもりです。
I'm planning to take a paid day off tomorrow.
有休がまだ5日ある。
I still have 5 paid days off.
A common verb phrase meaning 'to take paid leave'. 有給 alone can be used conversationally.
来週、有給を取って旅行に行きます。
I'm taking paid leave next week and going on a trip.
The legal term for annual paid leave as defined by labor law. Used in official documents.
年次有給休暇の取得率を上げる必要がある。
We need to increase the rate of annual paid leave usage.
A national or public holiday for which employees are typically paid without working.
Refers to national holidays. In Japan, most full-time employees are paid for these days off.
今日は祝日なので、会社は休みです。
Today is a public holiday, so the company is closed.
祝日は有給扱いになります。
Public holidays are treated as paid days off.
Explicitly states that the holiday is paid. Useful for clarity in some contexts.
当社では、有給の祝日が年間16日あります。
At our company, there are 16 paid public holidays per year.
A day off given by the company that is paid, such as a summer break or foundation day.
Special leave granted by the company for specific reasons (e.g., wedding, bereavement, or company holiday). Often paid.
夏季特別休暇は3日間です。
The summer special paid leave is 3 days.
A generic phrase meaning 'company-paid holiday'. Not a fixed term but understandable.
創立記念日は会社の有給休日です。
The foundation day is a company-paid holiday.
有休 is the casual, everyday abbreviation. Use 有給休暇 in formal writing or when speaking to superiors. Both are widely understood.
休暇 (kyūka) simply means 'holiday' or 'leave' and does not imply payment. Always specify 有給 if payment is important.