有給

• Reading: ゆうきゅう
• Romaji: yūkyū
• Kanji breakdown: 有 (have/exist) + 給 (salary/pay) → paid (leave), short for 有給休暇 (paid vacation)
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.kʲɯː/

Meaning

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.

Examples

1. 有給使って来週の金曜休もうかな。 Maybe I'll use my paid leave to take next Friday off.
2. 有給って年に何日あるか知ってる？うちは20日だよ。 Do you know how many paid leave days you get per year? We get 20.
3. 有給取りたいけど、忙しすぎて休めない。 I want to take paid leave, but I'm too busy to take time off.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, casual conversation

Tone: practical, everyday

Do Say

• 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?)

Don't Say

• 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)

Common Mistakes

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

Origin & History

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.

Cultural Context

Era: Postwar labor law, 2019 mandatory usage reform

Generation: All working-age adults

Social background: Universal

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