有給

• 読み: ゆうきゅう
• ローマ字: yūkyū
• 漢字の分解: 有 (have/exist) + 給 (salary/pay) → paid (leave), short for 有給休暇 (paid vacation)
• 発音: /jɯː.kʲɯː/

意味

Paid leave or paid vacation days — time off from work with full salary.

有給 (short for 有給休暇) is one of the most commonly discussed workplace terms in Japan. Despite being legally guaranteed, Japan has historically had very low paid leave usage rates — workers felt guilty taking time off. The 2019 work-style reform made it mandatory for employers to ensure workers take at least 5 days per year. The term 有給 is used casually in everyday conversation, and 'taking 有給' has become more normalized, though many workers still feel pressure not to use all their days.

例文

1. 有給使って来週の金曜休もうかな。
2. 有給って年に何日あるか知ってる？うちは20日だよ。
3. 有給取りたいけど、忙しすぎて休めない。

使い方ガイド

場面: workplace, casual conversation

トーン: practical, everyday

正しい言い方

• 有給消化しないともったいないよ。 (It's a waste not to use up your paid leave.)
• 来月有給取って旅行行かない？ (Want to take paid leave next month and go on a trip?)

避ける言い方

• 繁忙期に「有給取ります」は周りの目が気になる場合がある (Saying 'I'm taking paid leave' during a busy period may draw unwanted attention in some workplaces)

よくある間違い

• Thinking Japanese workers freely take 有給 — despite reforms, many still feel guilty and usage rates, while improving, remain below 100%

起源と歴史

Short for 有給休暇 (paid leave). Legally guaranteed under Japan's Labor Standards Act. The 2019 reform requiring minimum 5 days of annual paid leave usage was a landmark change.

文化的背景

時代: Postwar labor law, 2019 mandatory usage reform

世代: All working-age adults

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. Japan's paid leave usage rate has been gradually improving but remains a cultural challenge.