How to say "vocation" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 天職てんしょくnounCovers 'vocation' as a calling — work one feels born to do, a lifework rather than a mere job. Not a neutral word for an occupation; typical when someone says teaching is their true calling.
- 職業しょくぎょうnounCovers 'vocation' in the plain sense of occupation or line of work — the neutral word for a job, with no nuance of a calling. Typical when stating one's occupation or asking about someone's job.
Choose 天職 when vocation means a calling — work you feel destined for — and 職業 when it simply means an occupation, profession, or job.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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