リモート

• Reading: リモート
• Romaji: rimooto
• Kanji breakdown: From English 'remote' (work) → リモートワーク → shortened to リモート
• Pronunciation: /ɾi.moː.to/

Meaning

Shortened from リモートワーク (rimōto wāku, 'remote work'). Refers to working from home or outside the office.

リモート became one of the most frequently used words in Japanese during the COVID-19 pandemic when many companies rapidly shifted to remote work. It is used both as a noun (リモートで仕事する, 'work remotely') and as a modifier (リモート会議, 'remote meeting'). The term also spawned related expressions like リモート飲み (remote drinking party). While pandemic restrictions have eased, リモート remains common as hybrid work styles persist.

Examples

1. 今日はリモートだから家で仕事してる。 I'm working remote today so I'm at home.
2. リモートになってから通勤のストレスなくなった。 Ever since going remote, the commuting stress is gone.
3. リモートと出社を半々にしてる会社が多いよね。 A lot of companies are doing a 50/50 split of remote and in-office, right?

Usage Guide

Context: work, daily conversation, business casual

Tone: practical, modern

Do Say

• 明日リモートにしていいですか？ (Can I work remotely tomorrow?)
• リモートだと集中できる。 (I can focus better when working remotely.)

Don't Say

• 公式な社内通知で「リモート」だけ使う (In official company communications, use リモートワーク or テレワーク — リモート alone is too casual)

Common Mistakes

• Not knowing テレワーク (telework) is the more formal/official Japanese term for the same concept
• Using リモート outside of work contexts where it does not apply

Origin & History

Shortened from リモートワーク (rimōto wāku, 'remote work'). Exploded in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when Japanese companies shifted to work-from-home arrangements en masse.

Cultural Context

Era: 2020 COVID-19 pandemic onward

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Office workers, professionals

Regional notes: Used across Japan. リモート and テレワーク coexist, with リモート being more casual and テレワーク more official.