Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of permanent employment is often expressed through the term 正社員 (seishain), which refers to a regular, full-time employee with job security and benefits. This contrasts with non-regular employment types. The guide covers how to talk about permanent employment status, the system itself, and related expressions.
Referring to a person who has permanent employment status, typically a full-time regular employee with benefits and job security.
The standard term for a regular, full-time employee with permanent employment status. This is the most common way to refer to such a person.
彼は正社員として働いています。
He works as a permanent employee.
正社員になりたいです。
I want to become a permanent employee.
Synonym for 正社員, slightly more formal or technical. Used in official contexts.
正規社員の募集はありますか？
Are you hiring permanent employees?
Referring to the employment system or status itself, such as lifetime employment or the concept of job security.
Refers to the traditional Japanese lifetime employment system, where employees are hired straight out of school and stay with the same company until retirement.
日本の終身雇用制度は変わりつつあります。
Japan's lifetime employment system is changing.
Literally 'regular employee employment', used to describe the hiring of permanent employees.
当社は正社員雇用を重視しています。
Our company emphasizes permanent employment.
Means 'stable employment', often used to describe the security of permanent positions.
安定した雇用を求めています。
I'm looking for stable employment.
Referring to a job opening or position that is permanent, as opposed to temporary or contract.
Common way to say 'permanent position' in a job context.
正社員のポジションに応募しました。
I applied for a permanent position.
Refers to a job listing for a permanent employee.
正社員求人を探しています。
I'm looking for permanent job openings.
Expressing the transition from a temporary or contract position to permanent employment.
The most direct way to say 'become a permanent employee'.
契約社員から正社員になりました。
I became a permanent employee from a contract employee.
Formal term for promotion or conversion to permanent employee status, often used in HR contexts.
正社員登用制度があります。
There is a system for promotion to permanent employee.
正社員 refers to the individual employee status, while 終身雇用 refers to the system or practice of lifetime employment. You can be a 正社員 without being in a 終身雇用 system, though historically they are linked.
彼は正社員ですが、終身雇用は保証されていません。
He is a permanent employee, but lifetime employment is not guaranteed.
The literal translation '永久雇用' (eikyū koyō) is not commonly used and may sound unnatural. Stick to 正社員 or 終身雇用 depending on context.