Translation guide
The English word 'recruit' can be a verb (to find and hire people, or to get someone to join) or a noun (a new member). This guide covers both uses, focusing on natural Japanese expressions for business, organizations, and casual contexts.
Expressing the action of a company or organization looking for and hiring new staff.
The standard verb for 'to hire' or 'to employ'. Used when a company decides to take someone on.
来年、新卒を10名採用する予定です。
We plan to recruit 10 new graduates next year.
Means 'to recruit' or 'to seek applicants'. Focuses on the process of advertising and gathering candidates.
現在、経験者を募集しています。
We are currently recruiting experienced people.
Loanword from English, often used in business contexts, especially for proactive scouting or headhunting.
彼をプロジェクトマネージャーとしてリクルートした。
We recruited him as a project manager.
Implies actively seeking out and approaching a specific person, often used in sports, entertainment, or headhunting.
彼は大手企業にスカウトされた。
He was recruited by a major company.
Persuading someone to become a member of a club, team, cause, etc., not necessarily for a job.
General term for inviting or soliciting someone to join an organization, club, or activity.
彼は友達をボランティアグループに勧誘した。
He recruited his friend into the volunteer group.
Casual verb meaning 'to invite'. Can be used for recruiting friends or acquaintances to join an activity.
サークルに新しいメンバーを誘った。
I recruited new members for the club.
Literally 'to pull in', implies bringing someone into a group, sometimes with a nuance of persuasion or even coercion.
Referring to a person who has recently joined a company, organization, or group.
Standard term for a newly hired employee in a company.
今年の新入社員はとても優秀だ。
This year's recruits are very talented.
General term for a newcomer or rookie, used in workplaces, sports, or any group.
彼はまだ新人だが、よくやっている。
He's still a recruit, but he's doing well.
Specifically refers to a new graduate recruit, very common in Japanese hiring context.
A mid-career recruit, someone hired with previous work experience.
中途採用者向けの研修があります。
There is training for mid-career recruits.
Specifically for joining the armed forces.
Standard verb for enlisting in the military.
彼は18歳で軍隊に入隊した。
He was recruited into the army at 18.
Means 'to conscript' or 'draft', not voluntary recruitment.
戦時中、多くの若者が徴兵された。
During the war, many young men were recruited (drafted).
採用する focuses on the decision to hire, while 募集する focuses on the process of looking for applicants. You 募集する first, then 採用する the chosen candidates.
新しいスタッフを募集したが、まだ誰も採用していない。
We recruited (sought) new staff, but haven't hired anyone yet.
リクルートする sounds businesslike and is not used for inviting friends to a party or club. Use 誘う or 勧誘する instead.
彼はその計画に彼女を引き入れた。
He recruited her into the scheme.
当社は毎年多くの新卒を採用している。
Our company recruits many new graduates every year.