アルバイト

• Reading: アルバイト
• Romaji: arubaito
• Pronunciation: /a.ɾɯ.ba.i.to/

Meaning

Part-time job. Casual or temporary employment, especially common among students.

Functions as a noun and する verb (アルバイトする = to work part-time). Often shortened to バイト in casual speech. A key word in Japanese student and youth culture, as many high school and university students work アルバイト. Distinct from パート (part-time work for homemakers).

Examples

1. 大学生のときコンビニでアルバイトをしました。 I worked part-time at a convenience store when I was in college.
2. 今アルバイトを探しています。 I'm looking for a part-time job right now.
3. 週に三回アルバイトをしています。 I work my part-time job three times a week.

Usage Guide

Context: work, student life, daily life

Tone: casual

Origin & History

Borrowed from the German word 'Arbeit' (work). Entered Japanese during the Meiji era when many academic terms were imported from German.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: Young adults

Social background: Universal