定時退社

• Reading: ていじたいしゃ
• Romaji: teiji taisha
• Kanji breakdown: 定 (fixed) + 時 (time) + 退 (retreat) + 社 (company) → leaving the company at the fixed time
• Pronunciation: /te.i.dʑi ta.i.ɕa/

Meaning

Leaving work right at the scheduled end time without doing any overtime.

In a culture where staying late is often seen as dedication, 定時退社 carries a subtle rebelliousness. Younger workers increasingly embrace it as a healthy work-life balance practice, while older colleagues may view it with mild disapproval. It has become a rallying cry among work-style reform advocates and those resisting the 'stay late = hardworking' mentality.

Examples

1. 今日は絶対定時退社する、ライブのチケットあるから。 I'm absolutely leaving on time today — I have concert tickets.
2. 定時退社したいけど、周りがまだ仕事してると帰りづらいんだよね。 I want to leave on time, but it's hard to walk out when everyone around me is still working.
3. うちの会社、最近やっと定時退社が当たり前になってきた。 At our company, leaving on time has finally started to become the norm.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, casual conversation, social media

Tone: matter-of-fact, sometimes defiant

Do Say

• 今日こそ定時退社するぞ！ (I'm definitely leaving on time today!)
• 定時退社できる職場に転職してよかった。 (I'm glad I switched to a job where leaving on time is normal.)

Don't Say

• 忙しい時期に「定時退社します」と宣言するのは空気が読めない (Announcing 'I'm leaving on time' during crunch periods shows a lack of social awareness)

Common Mistakes

• Assuming 定時退社 is the norm in Japan — in many companies it still requires courage to leave on time
• Not understanding the cultural weight: saying it can imply you are prioritizing personal life over team obligations

Origin & History

Compound of 定時 (scheduled time) and 退社 (leaving the office). Has existed as a formal term but gained cultural significance in the 2010s alongside work-style reform (働き方改革) movements.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s resurgence with work-style reform movement

Generation: All working-age, championed by younger workers

Social background: Office workers across company sizes

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Acceptance varies greatly by company culture and industry.