Have you heard of Shakaijin? In the Japanese language, as in other languages around the world, there are words that carry a meaning that can be considered offensive to many people. In Japanese society, it is essential to treat others with respect, and therefore, politeness in language use is something that is often widely spread and taught. The incorrect use of a word considered offensive in some contexts can create discomfort among interlocutors.
Shakaijin (社会人, しゃかいじん), for example, is one of the numerous words in the Japanese language (and has no exact equivalent in Portuguese) that carry within them some cultural controversies, although this understanding may vary from person to person.
In this article, we will learn about the meaning, some possible translations, and the controversies surrounding the use of this term within the Japanese social context.
Prepare the coffee and enjoy your reading!
Table of Contents
Shakaijin – Meaning and translation
In general, we can deduce the meaning of a particular word by analyzing the kanjis that compose it, the context in which it is used, and the translations found in various languages (such as English and Portuguese). Based on this principle, we find that the term “Shakaijin” is composed of three kanjis, which are: 社 (しゃ, sha), which carries the meaning of “society,” “company,” or “corporation”; 会 (かい, kai), which is present in the verb 会う (あう, au) meaning “to meet someone” or “to gather,” predominantly carrying this sense of “meeting” and “gathering”; and lastly, 人 (ひと, hito) which means “person.”
On the other hand, instead of only analyzing each kanji in isolation, we must remember that “shakai” (社会) alone means “society,” and therefore, when combined with the kanji for person (人, ひと, hito), it translates to a general idea of the word’s meaning, that is, something close to “person of society.” In this sense, the translation of the word “shakaijin” tends to vary quite a bit, with three translations being particularly common: “person of society,” “member of society,” or “working adult.” The translation “salaried worker” is also frequent.
Cultural context and controversy
The controversy behind this term lies in the fact that it usually designates only adult individuals who are working in some job. Thus, students (学生, がくせい, gakusei), the unemployed, and housewives are not considered “shakaijin.” In this sense, students and individuals without a stable job end up being excluded from the group composed of “members of society,” which generates significant controversy, as it can result in increased social pressure on these individuals.
The term indirectly indicates that only those who become adults and enter society as a workforce will be recognized as first-class citizens, relegating other individuals to a lower category.
Recently, on social media platforms like Twitter and Quora, the discussion about this word has resurfaced, with several users expressing their discontent and sharing opinions on the matter.
Furthermore, if we consider the Japanese cultural context, with some Confucian influence in its provinces, the rapid economic growth after World War II, and the issue of “work addiction” affecting a large number of salaried workers (サラリーマン, sarariiman), we can infer that historical, cultural, social, and religious roots have been crucial factors for this type of mentality and for the origin of shakaijin.
“Taboo” words
There are other controversial words in the Japanese language. Generally, vocabulary related to physical and mental disabilities and sex workers tends to generate heated debates and even public apologies on television programs. It is always important to ensure whether a particular word is common or if it is frowned upon by people.
To refer to individuals with some type of disability, for example, the expression 身体の不自由な方 (からだのふじゆうなかた, karada no fujiyuu na kata) is commonly used, which literally means something like “Individuals without bodily freedom,” being a more delicate and appropriate way to refer to physically disabled individuals.
There are several other examples of sensitive vocabulary and prohibited terms in the Japanese language. To better understand the subject, we recommend reading the articles below:
Social Taboos in Japan – Two Forbidden Words – Suki Desu (skdesu.com)
Kurombo, Racist Term in Japanese – Suki Desu (skdesu.com)
Conclusion
Finally, we recommend that you also read our cultural articles, as the Japanese language is directly related to the customs of Japanese society.
We recommend reading this article in English about “shakaijin” as a more in-depth complement on this theme: (44) Becoming Shakaijin: Working-Class Reproduction in Japan | James Roberson – Academia.edu
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