Japanese Occupations Kanji: Learn Job Titles in Japanese
Master Japanese occupation kanji: 医者 (isha/doctor), 先生 (sensei/teacher), 警察 (keisatsu/police), 会社員 (kaishain/office worker), 看護師 (kangoshi/nurse), and more. Each entry includes readings, example sentences, and cultural context for discussing work in Japan.
Japanese Occupations at a Glance
The Suffix System
Many Japanese job titles end in suffixes like 者 (sha/person), 師 (shi/master), 員 (in/member), or 家 (ka/specialist). Understanding these suffixes lets you decode new job titles instantly.
先生: Beyond "Teacher"
先生 (sensei) means far more than just "teacher." It's used for doctors, lawyers, politicians, and any respected authority. The kanji literally means "born before": someone who came first in knowledge.
JLPT Relevance
Basic occupation kanji like 先生, 医者, and 会社 appear at JLPT N5-N4. Specialized roles like 弁護士 and 看護師 are N2-N1. Essential for self-introductions and daily conversation.
Core Japanese Occupation Kanji
These twenty kanji and compound words cover essential occupation vocabulary, from doctors and teachers to engineers and artists: everything you need to talk about careers in Japanese.
| Item | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji | JLPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor | 医者 | いしゃ | isha | N4 |
| Teacher | 先生 | せんせい | sensei | N5 |
| Student | 学生 | がくせい | gakusei | N5 |
| Office Worker | 会社員 | かいしゃいん | kaishain | N4 |
| Police Officer | 警察官 | けいさつかん | keisatsukan | N3 |
| Nurse | 看護師 | かんごし | kangoshi | N2 |
| Lawyer | 弁護士 | べんごし | bengoshi | N2 |
| Cook / Chef | 料理人 | りょうりにん | ryourinin | N3 |
| Writer / Author | 作家 | さっか | sakka | N3 |
| Singer | 歌手 | かしゅ | kashu | N3 |
| Actor / Actress | 俳優 | はいゆう | haiyuu | N2 |
| Professor | 教授 | きょうじゅ | kyouju | N2 |
| Dentist | 歯医者 | はいしゃ | haisha | N4 |
| Firefighter | 消防士 | しょうぼうし | shouboushi | N2 |
| Farmer | 農家 | のうか | nouka | N3 |
| Driver | 運転手 | うんてんしゅ | untenshu | N3 |
| Shopkeeper | 店員 | てんいん | tenin | N4 |
| Engineer | 技師 | ぎし | gishi | N2 |
| Bank Employee | 銀行員 | ぎんこういん | ginkouin | N3 |
| Researcher | 研究者 | けんきゅうしゃ | kenkyuusha | N2 |
All Japanese Occupation Kanji Explained
Explore each occupation kanji with its readings, literal meaning breakdown, and example sentences used in everyday Japanese.
Example:
医者になるには六年間勉強します。
Isha ni naru ni wa rokunenkan benkyou shimasu.
You study for six years to become a doctor.
Example:
先生、質問があります。
Sensei, shitsumon ga arimasu.
Teacher, I have a question.
Example:
大学生の時にアルバイトをしていました。
Daigakusei no toki ni arubaito wo shite imashita.
I worked part-time when I was a university student.
Example:
父は会社員として三十年働いています。
Chichi wa kaishain toshite sanjuunen hataraite imasu.
My father has worked as an office worker for thirty years.
Example:
警察官が交差点で交通整理をしています。
Keisatsukan ga kousaten de koutsuu-seiri wo shite imasu.
A police officer is directing traffic at the intersection.
Example:
看護師は患者の世話をします。
Kangoshi wa kanja no sewa wo shimasu.
Nurses take care of patients.
Example:
弁護士に相談したいです。
Bengoshi ni soudan shitai desu.
I want to consult a lawyer.
Example:
有名な料理人がこのレストランで働いています。
Yuumei na ryourinin ga kono resutoran de hataraite imasu.
A famous chef works at this restaurant.
Example:
村上春樹は世界的に有名な作家です。
Murakami Haruki wa sekaiteki ni yuumei na sakka desu.
Haruki Murakami is a world-famous author.
Example:
あの歌手の新しいアルバムが出ました。
Ano kashu no atarashii arubamu ga demashita.
That singer's new album came out.
Example:
彼女は有名な俳優になりたいです。
Kanojo wa yuumei na haiyuu ni naritai desu.
She wants to become a famous actress.
Example:
山田教授の授業はとても面白いです。
Yamada-kyouju no jugyou wa totemo omoshiroi desu.
Professor Yamada's class is very interesting.
Example:
半年に一回歯医者に行きます。
Hantoshi ni ikkai haisha ni ikimasu.
I go to the dentist once every six months.
Example:
消防士が火事を消しました。
Shouboushi ga kaji wo keshimashita.
The firefighters put out the fire.
Example:
祖父は農家で米を作っています。
Sofu wa nouka de kome wo tsukutte imasu.
My grandfather grows rice as a farmer.
Example:
タクシーの運転手に駅までお願いしました。
Takushii no untenshu ni eki made onegai shimashita.
I asked the taxi driver to take me to the station.
Example:
店員に聞いてみましょう。
Tenin ni kiite mimashou.
Let's try asking the shop clerk.
Example:
技師として工場で働いています。
Gishi toshite koujou de hataraite imasu.
I work at a factory as an engineer.
Example:
銀行員は朝九時から働きます。
Ginkouin wa asa kuji kara hatarakimasu.
Bank employees start work at nine in the morning.
Example:
研究者たちが新しい薬を開発しています。
Kenkyuusha-tachi ga atarashii kusuri wo kaihatsu shite imasu.
Researchers are developing a new medicine.
Japanese Occupations by Category
Japanese occupation vocabulary can be grouped into categories. Understanding these groupings helps you see patterns in how job title kanji compounds are formed.
Japan's healthcare system is world-class. Medical titles often use 医 (i/medicine) or 師 (shi/master). Doctors are addressed as 先生 (sensei) just like teachers.
Education is deeply respected in Japan. Teachers are called 先生 (sensei), a title of great honor. The school system runs from elementary through university with rigorous entrance exams.
Japan's corporate culture is unique. The 会社員 (kaishain/company employee) is a cornerstone of society. Business card exchange (名刺交換) is a ritual, and job titles reflect hierarchy.
Japan has a rich artistic tradition. Creative occupations often use the suffix 家 (ka/specialist), like 作家 (sakka/writer), 画家 (gaka/painter), and 音楽家 (ongakuka/musician).
Japanese Job Title Suffixes
Understanding these common suffixes is the key to decoding almost any Japanese job title. Once you know these building blocks, you can figure out hundreds of occupations.
| Suffix | Reading | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 者 | しゃ (sha) | Person who does | 医者 (doctor), 研究者 (researcher), 労働者 (worker) |
| 師 | し (shi) | Master / specialist | 看護師 (nurse), 技師 (engineer), 薬剤師 (pharmacist) |
| 員 | いん (in) | Member / staff | 会社員 (office worker), 店員 (clerk), 銀行員 (banker) |
| 家 | か (ka) | House / specialist | 作家 (writer), 農家 (farmer), 画家 (painter) |
| 士 | し (shi) | Scholar / warrior | 弁護士 (lawyer), 消防士 (firefighter), 建築士 (architect) |
| 手 | しゅ (shu) | Hand / person skilled at | 歌手 (singer), 運転手 (driver), 選手 (athlete) |
| 官 | かん (kan) | Official / officer | 警察官 (police officer), 裁判官 (judge), 外交官 (diplomat) |
| 人 | にん / じん (nin/jin) | Person | 料理人 (chef), 商人 (merchant), 芸人 (entertainer) |
Occupation-Related Compound Words (Jukugo)
These compound words extend beyond basic job titles to cover workplace, career, and employment vocabulary. Many use the same kanji building blocks found in occupation terms.
| Compound | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 就職 | しゅうしょく (shuushoku) | Getting a job: "arrive at + job" |
| 転職 | てんしょく (tenshoku) | Changing jobs: "turn + job" |
| 職業 | しょくぎょう (shokugyou) | Occupation: "job + work/business" |
| 仕事 | しごと (shigoto) | Work / job: "serve + thing" |
| 会議 | かいぎ (kaigi) | Meeting: "meet + discuss" |
| 出張 | しゅっちょう (shutchou) | Business trip: "go out + stretch" |
| 給料 | きゅうりょう (kyuuryou) | Salary: "supply + fee" |
| 退職 | たいしょく (taishoku) | Retirement: "withdraw + job" |
| 面接 | めんせつ (mensetsu) | Interview: "face + contact" |
| 履歴書 | りれきしょ (rirekisho) | Resume / CV: "personal history document" |
Tips for Remembering Japanese Occupation Kanji
Learn the Suffix System
Master the key suffixes 者 (sha), 師 (shi), 員 (in), 家 (ka), and 士 (shi). These appear repeatedly across job titles. Once you know them, you can decode new occupations by breaking the compound into parts.
Practice Self-Introduction
One of the first things you learn in Japanese is 自己紹介 (jikoshoukai/self-introduction). Practice saying your own occupation: 私は__です (Watashi wa ___ desu / I am a ___). This gives you natural repetition.
Connect to Anime & Media
Many anime feature characters with distinct occupations. Watch shows like Cells at Work (はたらく細胞) for medical terms, or Food Wars (食戟のソーマ) for cooking vocabulary. Context makes kanji memorable.
Collect Occupation Cards
Use our gamified card collection to master occupation kanji. Earn XP, level up, and build your personal Jisho dictionary with every kanji you learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say doctor in Japanese?
The most common word for doctor is 医者 (isha), combining 医 (medicine) + 者 (person). In formal or polite contexts, doctors are addressed as 先生 (sensei). A specialist is 専門医 (senmon-i), a surgeon is 外科医 (gekai), and a dentist is 歯医者 (haisha). Japan has about 340,000 practicing physicians.
What does sensei mean in Japanese?
The word 先生 (sensei) literally means "born before": someone who came before you in knowledge. While commonly translated as "teacher," it is an honorific used for doctors, lawyers, politicians, martial arts instructors, and other respected professionals. Using sensei shows deep respect for someone's expertise.
How do you say your job title in Japanese?
Use the pattern 私は [job title] です (Watashi wa [job title] desu). For example: 私は会社員です (I am an office worker). Key suffixes to know: 者 (sha/person who does), 師 (shi/master), 員 (in/member), 家 (ka/specialist), 士 (shi/scholar). These suffixes combine with descriptive kanji to form most job titles.
What are the most common jobs in Japan?
The most common occupations in Japan include 会社員 (kaishain/office worker), 公務員 (koumuin/civil servant), 看護師 (kangoshi/nurse), 教員 (kyouin/teacher), 店員 (tenin/retail clerk), and 技術者 (gijutsusha/technical professional). Japan's aging population has created high demand for 介護士 (kaigoshi/care workers).
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