搾取

• Reading: さくしゅ
• Romaji: sakushu
• Kanji breakdown: 搾 (saku) — to squeeze, press out; 取 (shu) — to take, obtain
• Pronunciation: /sa.kɯ.ɕɯ/

Meaning

Exploitation; extraction of labour or resources for one-sided gain. Describes taking unfair advantage of workers or the vulnerable.

A noun (and suru-verb, 搾取する) rooted in Marxist economic discourse but widely used in everyday Japanese to describe any relationship where one party extracts disproportionate benefit. Often appears in discussions of labour rights, capitalism, colonialism, and power imbalances. The image is of wringing or squeezing dry.

Examples

1. 劣悪な労働条件は労働者への搾取だと組合側は主張した。 The union side argued that the appalling working conditions amounted to exploitation of workers.
2. 植民地支配下での資源搾取は今なお歴史的議論の的だ。 The extraction of resources under colonial rule remains a subject of historical debate to this day.
3. 非正規雇用が増えるほど搾取の構造が深刻化するという意見もある。 Some argue that the more non-regular employment increases, the more serious the structure of exploitation becomes.

Usage Guide

Context: labour rights, economics, political discourse, social criticism

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From 搾 (saku) meaning 'to squeeze or press out' and 取 (shu) meaning 'to take.' The compound conveys the image of wringing out value from people or resources.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: All classes