インターン
Meaning: An internship at a company, typically done by university students as part of job hunting activities.
インターン (short for インターンシップ) has become a crucial part of Japanese 就活 (job hunting). While traditionally Japanese hiring relied on mass recruitment of new graduates (新卒一括採用), internships have grown rapidly since the 2010s. They range from one-day company visits to month-long working experiences. Some companies effectively use internships as early recruitment, with good performers receiving 内定 (unofficial offers) ahead of the official hiring season.
Examples
- サマーインターンに応募したけど、倍率高くて落ちた。 投了暑期实习,但竞争太激烈被刷下来了。Solicité unas prácticas de verano, pero la competencia era tan alta que no me cogieron.여름 인턴에 지원했는데 경쟁률이 높아서 떨어졌어.
- インターンで行った会社の雰囲気が良くて、そのまま志望企業にした。 实习去的那家公司氛围很好,直接就把它列为志愿公司了。El ambiente de la empresa donde hice las prácticas me gustó tanto que la puse como mi primera opción.인턴으로 갔던 회사 분위기가 좋아서 그대로 지망 기업으로 정했어.
- インターンって無給のところ多いけど、交通費くらいは出してほしい。 实习大部分都是没有工资的,至少交通费应该给报销吧。Muchas prácticas no son remuneradas, pero al menos podrían cubrir el transporte.인턴은 무급인 곳이 많은데, 교통비 정도는 줬으면 좋겠어.
Pronunciation
/iɴ.taːɴ/
Usage Guide
Context: job hunting, university, career planning
Tone: practical, career-focused
✓ Do Say
- インターン参加しとくと就活で有利になるよ。 (Doing internships gives you an advantage in job hunting.)参加了实习的话,找工作会更有优势哦。Hacer prácticas te da ventaja a la hora de buscar empleo.인턴 참가해두면 취활에서 유리해져. (Doing internships gives you an advantage in job hunting.)
- インターン先でそのまま内定もらえるケースもあるらしいよ。 (Apparently some people get job offers directly from their internship company.)听说有人直接从实习单位拿到录用通知了。Parece que hay casos en los que te hacen una oferta directamente desde la empresa de prácticas.인턴 다닌 곳에서 바로 내정 받는 경우도 있다더라. (Apparently some people get job offers directly from their internship company.)
✗ Don't Say
- 「インターンなんて意味ない」は就活に真剣な学生を否定する (Saying 'internships are pointless' dismisses students who are serious about their careers)说'实习没什么用'是在否定那些认真对待求职的学生Decir 'las prácticas no sirven para nada' es menospreciar a los estudiantes que se toman en serio su carrera profesional.「인턴 같은 거 의미 없어」라고 하면 취활에 진지한 학생을 부정하는 것이다 (Saying 'internships are pointless' dismisses students who are serious about their careers)
Common Mistakes
- Assuming Japanese internships are like Western ones — many are very short (1-5 days), more like company tours or workshops than actual work experience
Origin & History
From English 'internship,' shortened to インターン in Japanese. While internships existed earlier in limited forms, they became mainstream in Japanese job hunting culture in the 2010s.
Cultural Context
Era: 2010s mainstream adoption
Generation: University students (3rd-4th year)
Social background: Universal among university job-seekers
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Major companies in Tokyo and Osaka offer the most competitive internship programs.
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