Translation guide
The English word 'working' can refer to employment, functionality, or the process of labor. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
To say that someone is employed or has a job.
The most common way to say someone is working (as in employed). It literally means 'is working' and implies ongoing employment.
彼は銀行で働いています。
He is working at a bank.
Are you working now?
Literally 'doing a job', this is also very common and can be used interchangeably with 働いている, though it may emphasize the act of performing work.
彼女はITの仕事をしています。
She is working in IT.
Means 'to be employed at' a specific company or organization. More formal than 働いている.
私はトヨタに勤めています。
I am working at Toyota.
Means 'to have found employment' or 'to be employed', often used in the context of having secured a job after job hunting.
彼はやっと就職しています。
He is finally working (has a job).
To say that a machine, device, or system is functioning or in operation.
Literally 'is moving', this is the most common way to say something is working (functioning).
エアコンが動いていません。
The air conditioner is not working.
この時計はまだ動いています。
This clock is still working.
Means 'is functioning' and is slightly more formal or technical. Often used for systems or organs.
システムは正常に機能しています。
The system is working normally.
Means 'is in operation', used for machines, devices, or mechanisms. More technical than 動いている.
安全装置が作動している。
The safety device is working.
To say that someone is currently engaged in work or a task.
A common phrase meaning 'in the middle of work' or 'at work'. Often used to indicate you are busy working.
今、仕事中なので、後で電話します。
I'm working right now, so I'll call you later.
Means 'in the middle of work/operations', often used for manual or technical work, or when a machine is processing.
ただいまメンテナンス作業中です。
We are currently working on maintenance.
Means 'to be working on' a task or problem, implying effort and engagement.
彼は新しいプロジェクトに取り組んでいます。
He is working on a new project.
To describe the time or conditions related to work.
Refers to work duty or service, often used in compounds like 勤務時間 (working hours) or 勤務先 (place of work).
勤務時間は9時から5時までです。
Working hours are from 9 to 5.
Means 'labor', often used in contexts like labor unions, working conditions, or physical work.
Formal term for employment or work, used in phrases like 就業時間 (working hours) or 就業規則 (work regulations).
To describe a provisional or temporary arrangement that is functioning.
Means 'temporary' or 'provisional', used in phrases like 仮の措置 (temporary measure) or 仮の宿 (temporary lodging).
これは仮の解決策です。
This is a working solution.
Means 'tentative' or 'provisional', often used in formal contexts like 暫定予算 (provisional budget) or 暫定措置 (temporary measure).
暫定的な合意に達した。
We reached a working agreement.
Both mean 'to work', but 働く emphasizes the physical or mental activity of labor, while 仕事をする focuses on the job or task. 働く is more common for 'to be employed', while 仕事をする can be used for specific tasks.
毎日8時間働く。
I work 8 hours every day.
今日は家で仕事をする。
I will work from home today.
The English loanword ワーキング is not commonly used in Japanese to mean 'working' in the sense of employment or functioning. It appears mainly in compound terms like ワーキングホリデー (working holiday) or ワーキングプア (working poor). Avoid using it as a direct translation.
新しいプロジェクトに取り組んでいます。
I am working on a new project.
機械は正常に動いています。
The machine is working properly.
彼女は病院で働いています。
She is working at a hospital.
労働条件を改善する。
Improve working conditions.
就業時間中は私語を慎んでください。
Please refrain from private talk during working hours.