How to say "carpenter" in Japanese

• 大工だいくJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a carpenter as an occupation — someone who builds houses or works with wood professionally. This is the word you want for the plain sense of 'carpenter'.
  私のおじいちゃんは大工だいくです。↗

  My grandfather is a carpenter.
• 匠たくみCommon
  nounIts core meaning is a master craftsman or artisan, someone with great skill; 'carpenter' is only one secondary gloss. For an ordinary carpenter this is seldom the word you want — think 'artisan' or 'master' instead.
• 木工もっこうCommon
  nounMeans a carpenter or worker in wood, with the emphasis on woodworking itself rather than the person's trade. Also used for woodwork or wooden craft, so context determines whether it refers to the person.

Use 大工 for a carpenter as an actual job or trade; 木工 also means a woodworker; 匠 primarily means a master craftsman or artisan, with carpenter only a secondary sense.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 大工だいくcarpenter
• 匠たくみcraftsman
• カーペンターcarpenter
• 木匠もくしょうcarpenter
• 建具屋たてぐやjoiner
• 木工師もっこうしwoodworker
• 木工もっこうcarpenter