Translation guide
The concept of forced, unpaid, or exploitative work, ranging from literal slavery to modern labor exploitation. Japanese expressions vary by context: historical slavery, prison labor, or figurative 'slave-like' working conditions.
Forced labor where people are owned as property or treated as such, often in historical or human rights contexts.
The direct translation for 'slave labor', used in formal, historical, and human rights discussions.
古代ローマでは奴隷労働が経済を支えていた。
In ancient Rome, slave labor supported the economy.
Forced labor, often used in legal or human rights contexts. Broader than slavery, includes prison labor or human trafficking.
その国では強制労働が国際問題になっている。
Forced labor has become an international issue in that country.
Describing a job or work environment that feels like slavery due to extremely low pay, long hours, or harsh treatment.
Literally 'labor like a slave'. Commonly used to complain about exploitative work conditions.
この会社の残業は奴隷のような労働だ。
The overtime at this company is slave labor.
Exploitative labor, emphasizing the extraction of value from workers. More formal and often used in economic or activist contexts.
発展途上国での搾取労働が批判されている。
Exploitative labor in developing countries is being criticized.
Work done by prisoners, often as punishment or for minimal compensation.
Prisoner labor. Neutral term used in legal or correctional contexts.
囚人労働は刑務所の運営に使われることがある。
Prison labor is sometimes used to run prisons.
Penal labor, specifically labor as part of a prison sentence. More legalistic.
懲役労働は憲法で禁止されている。
Penal labor is prohibited by the constitution.
When complaining about a bad job, directly saying 'slave labor' (奴隷労働) can sound overly dramatic or historical. Instead, use phrases like 奴隷のような労働 or refer to the company as ブラック企業.
この仕事はきつすぎる。まるで奴隷みたいだ。
This job is too tough. It's like being a slave.
A 'black company' that exploits workers with unpaid overtime, harassment, etc. Implies slave-like conditions. Very common in modern Japanese.
あの会社はブラック企業だから、やめたほうがいいよ。
That company is a sweatshop, so you'd better quit.