Words and phrases in Japanese for working in a factory

Are you working in Japan but don’t know what phrases to use? Didn’t understand what a coworker or boss said? In this article, we will share some phrases in Japanese for you to use at work, especially if it’s in a factory.

Tips for succeeding in Japanese factories

Many Brazilians feel comfortable due to the ease and lack of necessity to use the Japanese language in factory work. Still, it is important to learn at least the basics like hiragana and katakana, as well as basic words like greetings.

An important cultural aspect in Japan is that you need to do things the way they were ordered, without taking shortcuts or using things that can make the job easier. If you deviate from the ordered standard, you will likely get into trouble.

Another thing you need to keep in mind is formality. In the Japanese language, there are various ways to express the same thing. It all depends on the occasion or the person you are talking to. The best approach is to use the most polite form possible to avoid problems at the workplace.

In factories and workplaces, there is a hierarchy of roles or positions called yakushoku [役職]. The positions include Kaichoo, Shachoo, Senmu, Joumu, Buchoo, Jichoo, kachoo, Kakarichoo, Shunin, etc.

HOURENSOU – Basic behavior in the corporate world of Japan. It consists of houkoku which means to report, renraku which means to inform, and soudan which means to consult. These are 3 points that you should always give total importance to.

Below we will leave some quick curiosities and also some useful links to articles related to work and factories.

• Factories in Japanese are called koujou [工場];
• Factory worker is said koujou roudousha [工場労働者];
• Punctuality is mandatory in Japanese culture;
• If you hear a hayaku [早く] then run, it means quickly;
• Complete article about overtime in Japan;
• Kaizen – Method to streamline productivity;
• The downside of working in factories;

The 10 most important expressions at work

The 10 most important expressions, words, or phrases you need to learn in Japanese at the workplace are:

Ohayou Gozaimasu – Learning greetings in Japanese is a must. The Japanese are polite, and even though the factory environment may be a bit cold, always try to surprise and be a kind person by greeting each of them.

Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu – Before any activity or task, or when asking for someone’s help or favor, always remember to say Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu.

Arigatou Gozaimasu – Thanking is fundamental in Japanese culture. The Japanese tend to thank for almost everything, or even without a reason. Always remember to show gratitude for the help you receive from your coworkers.

Ganbarimashou – Means let’s do our best together, good luck to everyone. A kind of encouragement, it can mean to work hard, make an effort, and things like that.

Osewa ni Narimasu – Can mean various things and has several uses, but it is a way to thank for your support, kindness, work, and cooperation provided in the past, present, or future. You can add itsumo to thank for always helping.

Otsukare sama deshita! – Usually used after work to thank for the work done. It’s like saying thank you for the hard work. It can be used with coworkers who are leaving or have finished a task. Gokurou-sama is another similar word, but it is used by superiors and bosses when speaking to subordinates.

Onegai Shimasu and Kudasai – They are 2 ways to say please, and it is always good to say these words in various situations. The article linked in the title of these words will discuss a bit of the difference between them.

Gochuii Kudasai – Means please be careful, a perfect expression in various situations during factory work.

Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu – If you have to leave before your coworkers, it is good to always say this expression which literally means sorry for leaving before you.

Wakarimashita – In a factory, you will hear this expression a lot. It confirms that you understood what was ordered or instructed. It literally means I understood.

Words and expressions related to work

• Jinji-ido [人事異動] – Personnel changes – changing departments within a company;
• Naitei [内定] – Decisive information – just before signing a work contract;
• Naiji [内示] – Unofficial notification – private announcement about changes within a company;
• Teinen [定年] – Retirement age – usually 60;
• Sasen [左遷] – Relegation – demotion;
• Shookaku or Shooshin [昇格・昇進] – Promotion;
• Eiten [栄転] – Promotion to a higher position;
• Shushinkoyoo [終身雇用] – Lifetime employment;
• Shokui [職位] – Title – post or status within a company;
• Kamihannki [上半期] – The first half of the year – Kamiki;
• Shimohanki [下半期] – The second half of the year – Shimoki;
• Jooshi [上司] – Superior – boss or someone higher up;
• Shitauke [下請け] – Subcontracting – subcontracted work;
• Jinkenhi [人件費] – Labor cost;
• Kikakusho [企画書] – project proposal;
• Nekuzure [値崩れ] – price collapse;
• Saimu [債務] – Debt;
• Shueki [収益] – Earnings;
• Torihikisaki [取引先] – Client – business connection;
• Juchuu [受注] – order acceptance;
• Shoohinkaitentitsu [商品回転率] – merchandise turnover rate;
• Eigyoonendo [営業年度] – Fiscal year (starts in April);
• Zaiko [在庫] – inventory;
• Yakin [夜勤] – Night shift;
• Kogaisha [子会社] – Subsidiary – affiliated company;
• Shijoochoosa [市場調査] – Market research;
• Tetsuya [徹夜] – staying up all night;
• Teate [手当] – allowance – subsidy like family allowance;
• Tooshi [投資] – Investment;
• Shisha [支社] – Branch – subsidiary;
• Nikkin [日勤] – Day shift;
• Hayade [早出] – early arrival – arriving at work earlier;
• Gekkyu or Kyuuyo [月給・給与] – Salary – monthly payment;
• Yuukyu [有給| – Paid leave; Paid vacation;
• Kyuka [休暇] – Paid leave; Paid vacation; Leave of absence;
• Honsha [本社] – Corporate headquarters; Parent company; Leave of absence;
• Zangyo [残業] – Overtime;
• Kessan [決算] – Fiscal year-end closing;
• Hacchuu [発注] – Order;
• Keiretsugaisha [系列会社] – Subsidiary – smaller allied companies;
• Nouki [納期] – Delivery date – delivery date;
• Mitsumori [見積り] – Estimate;
• Oyagaisha [親会社] – parent company;
• Shihon [資本] – Capital;
• Akaji [赤字] – Deficit – negative results;
• Taisyokukin [退職金] – retirement allowance – retirement money;
• Kuroji [黒字] – Surplus – positive value;

Factory Work – List of words in Japanese

Below we will share a list of words to improve your vocabulary in factories and other jobs in Japan. I hope you like it:

Portuguese	Japanese	Romaji
(Age limit) retirement	（定年）退職	(teinenn) taishoku
New employee	（新入）社員	(shinnnyuu) shainn
(Paid) leave of absence	（有給）休暇	(yuukyuu) kyuuka
salary increase	昇給	shoukyuu
stamp	印鑑・判子	innkann / hannko
business card	名刺	meishi
clients / customers	顧客	kokyaku
advisor	相談役・顧問	soudannyaku / komonn
accountant	経理	keiri
dismissal	解雇	kaiko
employee	従業員	juugyouinn
contract employee	契約社員	keiyaku’shainn
client entertainment	接待	settai
office	営業所	eigyousho
estimate	見積書	mitsumorisho
executive	重役・役員	juuyaku / yakuinn
invoice	請求書	seikyuusho
branch	支社	shisha
staff	スタッフ	sutaffu
factory	工場	koujou
department manager	部長	buchou
section manager	課長	kachou
hourly wage	時給	jikyuu
part-time work	アルバイト／パート	arubaito / Pa-to
company personnel	会社員	kaishainn
president	会長	kaichou
CEO	社長	shachou
promotion	昇進	shoushinn
receipt	領収書	ryoushuusho
work regulations	就業規則	shuugyou’kisoku
leaving early	早退	soutai
salary	給料	kyuuryou
secretary	秘書	hisho
late	遅刻	chikoku
overtime	残業	zanngyou
Training	研修	kennshuu
sales	営業	eigyou
vice president	副社長	fuku’shachou