殺し屋|ころしやkoroshiya

1. nounprofessional killer; hit man
   殺し屋ころしやというのはテレビ映画えいがでは人気にんきのある題材だいざいだ。↗

   Hit men are a popular subject for TV movies.

• Related刺客しかくNeutralAn assassin; also a party candidate fielded to oust an incumbent of the same party. Leans written/formal, while 「殺し屋」 stresses killing for pay as a job.
• Related暗殺者あんさつしゃWrittenSomeone who makes a living by assassination; near-synonym of 「殺し屋」 but more written/formal — 「殺し屋」 is the more colloquial word.
• RelatedアサシンNeutralLoanword for an assassin; mostly a games-and-novels word rather than everyday speech.

For a killer hired for money, say 「殺し屋」 — the colloquial everyday term, as in 「殺し屋に狙われる」. In written prose prefer 「暗殺者」 or 「刺客」; 「刺客」 also means a party's candidate running against an incumbent, and 「アサシン」 is the loanword used in games and novels.

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

1. 依頼人いらいにんから報酬ほうしゅうをもらい、殺人さつじんを請け負うけおう職業しょくぎょう。暗殺者あんさつしゃ。