リモートワーク

• 読み: リモートワーク
• ローマ字: rimōto wāku
• 漢字の分解: From English 'remote' (リモート) + 'work' (ワーク)
• 発音: /ɾi.moː.to waː.ku/

意味

Remote work or working from home, typically using a computer and internet connection.

リモートワーク became an essential part of Japanese vocabulary during the COVID-19 pandemic when companies were forced to adopt work-from-home policies. While Japan was slow to embrace remote work compared to other countries due to its strong in-office culture, the pandemic accelerated adoption dramatically. The term is now standard in everyday conversation, though some companies have since returned to full in-office work.

例文

1. うちの会社は週3リモートワークでめっちゃ楽。
2. リモートワークになってから通勤のストレスがなくなった。
3. リモートワークだと仕事とプライベートの境目がなくなるよね。

使い方ガイド

場面: workplace, casual conversation, news

トーン: neutral, practical

正しい言い方

• 来週からリモートワークに切り替わるらしいよ。 (Apparently we're switching to remote work starting next week.)
• リモートワークの日は朝ギリギリまで寝れるのがいい。 (The best thing about remote work days is sleeping in until the last minute.)

避ける言い方

• リモートワーク＝サボりと決めつけない (Don't assume remote work means slacking off — it's a legitimate work arrangement)

よくある間違い

• Confusing リモートワーク with テレワーク — they mean essentially the same thing, but テレワーク is more official/governmental

起源と歴史

From English 'remote work.' Became widespread in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the government urged companies to adopt remote working arrangements.

文化的背景

時代: 2020 mainstream adoption during COVID-19 pandemic

世代: All working-age adults

社会的背景: Primarily white-collar office workers

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. Often shortened to リモート in casual speech (e.g., 今日リモートだから).