大工

• Reading: だいく
• Romaji: daiku
• Kanji breakdown: 大 (dai/tai) — great, big; 工 (ku/kou) — craft, work, construction
• Pronunciation: /da.i.kɯ/

Meaning

Carpenter; a skilled craftsperson who builds and repairs wooden structures.

One of the most traditional Japanese trades with deep cultural significance. Japanese carpentry is renowned for sophisticated joinery techniques that often require no nails or screws. The polite form 大工さん is commonly used in everyday speech. Related terms include 宮大工 (shrine/temple carpenter) and 日曜大工 (DIY/weekend carpentry).

Examples

1. 腕のいい大工さんに家のリフォームを頼んだ。 I hired a skilled carpenter to renovate my house.
2. 祖父は大工として五十年以上働いてきた。 My grandfather has worked as a carpenter for over fifty years.
3. 日曜大工で本棚を自分で作ってみた。 I tried making a bookshelf on my own as a DIY project.

Usage Guide

Context: construction, daily life, traditional crafts

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 大 (dai, great) + 工 (ku, craftsman/work). Originally referred to a master builder who oversaw construction projects, later generalised to all carpenters.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Artisan