Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'physical labor' is expressed through several terms that differ in nuance, formality, and context. The most common and neutral term is 肉体労働, but other words like 力仕事, 重労働, and 労務 are used depending on the type of work, its intensity, and the setting.
To refer to physical labor in a general, often formal or descriptive sense, such as in job classifications or discussions about work types.
The standard term for physical labor, often contrasted with mental labor (頭脳労働). Suitable for most contexts, including formal writing and conversation.
彼は肉体労働に従事している。
He is engaged in physical labor.
肉体労働は体力的にきつい。
Physical labor is physically demanding.
Literally 'strength work,' this term emphasizes the physical strength required. It is more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation to describe manual labor or heavy lifting.
引っ越しは力仕事が多い。
Moving involves a lot of physical labor.
彼は力仕事が得意だ。
He is good at physical labor.
Refers to heavy or hard physical labor, often with a connotation of severity or harshness. Used in contexts like harsh working conditions or strenuous tasks.
建設現場は重労働だ。
Construction work is heavy physical labor.
彼は重労働で腰を痛めた。
He hurt his back from heavy physical labor.
A formal term often used in legal, administrative, or business contexts to refer to labor or manual work. It can also refer to labor management or personnel affairs.
労務管理が重要だ。
Labor management is important.
To describe work done with the hands, often unskilled or involving simple physical tasks.
Means 'manual work' or 'handwork.' It emphasizes the use of hands rather than machines, and can include both skilled and unskilled tasks. Common in contexts like crafts, assembly, or farming.
この工程はすべて手作業で行われている。
This process is done entirely by manual labor.
手作業は時間がかかる。
Manual labor takes time.
To emphasize the difficulty, exhaustion, or physical toll of the work.
A common, casual phrase meaning 'tough work' or 'hard job.' It can refer to any demanding work, but often implies physical strain. Very natural in conversation.
毎日きつい仕事で疲れる。
I get tired from hard physical labor every day.
この仕事は本当にきつい。
This job is really hard physical labor.
To contrast physical labor with sedentary or intellectual work.
Literally 'work that moves the body.' A natural, conversational way to describe a physically active job, often used when comparing to desk jobs.
デスクワークより体を動かす仕事が好きだ。
I prefer physical labor to desk work.
体を動かす仕事は健康にいい。
Physical labor is good for your health.
肉体労働 is the most general and neutral term for physical labor. 力仕事 emphasizes the use of physical strength and is more casual. 重労働 specifically means heavy or severe labor, often with a negative connotation of hardship. Use 肉体労働 in formal contexts, 力仕事 in everyday talk about manual tasks, and 重労働 when highlighting the difficulty or harshness.
While フィジカルレイバー is sometimes used in katakana English, it is not natural Japanese. Stick to the terms above. Also, 物理的労働 is not used; it sounds like 'physics labor.'
Also used for manual labor in a broader sense, but 手作業 is more specific to handwork.
工場で肉体労働をしている。
I do physical labor at a factory.
As above, specifically heavy labor. More formal than きつい仕事.
重労働で体がもたない。
My body can't handle the heavy physical labor.
The standard contrast to 頭脳労働 (mental labor).
肉体労働と頭脳労働のバランスが大切だ。
A balance between physical and mental labor is important.