転職
Meaning: Changing jobs or making a career switch — leaving one company to work at another.
転職 was once stigmatized in Japan's lifetime employment culture, where changing companies was seen as disloyal or unstable. However, attitudes have shifted dramatically, especially among younger generations. Job-hopping is now increasingly normalized, with major 転職 platforms like doda, Bizreach, and Recruit Agent becoming widely used. The growing acceptance of 転職 reflects broader changes in Japanese work culture away from the traditional single-company career path.
Examples
- 転職サイトに登録したら、スカウトがめっちゃ来る。 在跳槽网站注册之后,猎头消息一个接一个地来。Me registré en un portal de empleo y no paran de llegarme ofertas.이직 사이트에 등록했더니 스카우트가 엄청 와.
- 30代で転職するなら今がラストチャンスかも。 30多岁想跳槽的话,现在可能是最后的机会了。Si quiero cambiar de trabajo a los treinta, puede que esta sea mi última oportunidad.30대에 이직하려면 지금이 마지막 기회일지도.
- 転職して年収100万上がったって友達が言ってた。 有个朋友说跳槽之后年薪涨了100万日元。Un amigo me ha dicho que al cambiar de empresa le subieron el sueldo un millón de yenes.이직해서 연봉이 100만 엔 올랐다고 친구가 말하더라.
Pronunciation
/ten.ɕo.ku/
Usage Guide
Context: career discussions, casual conversation, workplace
Tone: practical, sometimes exciting or anxious
✓ Do Say
- 転職考えてるんだけど、今の市場ってどうなの? (I'm thinking about changing jobs — how's the market right now?)在考虑跳槽呢,现在的就业市场怎么样?(我在想换工作——现在行情怎么样?)Estoy pensando en cambiar de trabajo, ¿cómo está el mercado ahora mismo?이직을 생각하고 있는데, 요즘 시장 상황은 어때? (이직을 고려 중인데 지금 취업 시장은 어떤 상황이야?)
- 転職エージェント使ったほうが効率いいよ。 (Using a job change agent is more efficient.)用跳槽中介效率更高哦。(用专业的跳槽中介会更高效。)Es más eficiente usar una agencia de colocación para cambiar de empleo.이직 에이전트를 이용하는 게 더 효율적이야. (이직 에이전트를 쓰는 게 더 효율적이야.)
✗ Don't Say
- 上司の前で転職の話はしない (Don't talk about changing jobs in front of your boss — obvious but important)不要在上司面前谈跳槽的事(不要在老板面前聊换工作的话题——虽然是常识但很重要)No hables de cambiar de trabajo delante de tu jefe: obvio, pero importante.상사 앞에서 이직 이야기는 하지 말 것 (상사 앞에서 이직 이야기를 하지 마라 — 당연하지만 중요하다)
Common Mistakes
- Assuming 転職 is still stigmatized — while some traditional companies frown on it, the stigma has largely disappeared among younger generations
Origin & History
A compound of 転 (to change/roll) and 職 (job/profession). While the word itself is standard Japanese, its cultural acceptability has transformed dramatically since the 2000s as lifetime employment declined.
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional term, cultural shift from 2000s onward
Generation: All working-age adults, especially 20s-40s
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. 転職 platforms like doda and Bizreach are now as mainstream as 就活 (new graduate job hunting) sites.
More From This Topic
More from Work & Office Life
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free