公務員

• Reading: こうむいん
• Romaji: koumuin
• Kanji breakdown: 公 (kou) — public; 務 (mu) — duty; 員 (in) — member
• Pronunciation: /koː.mɯ.iɴ/

Meaning

Government employee; public servant; civil servant.

Includes national and local government workers, teachers at public schools, police, and firefighters. Considered a stable and prestigious career in Japan. Requires passing competitive exams (公務員試験).

Examples

1. 父は公務員として市役所で働いている。 My father works at city hall as a government employee.
2. 公務員になるには試験に合格しなければならない。 To become a civil servant, you have to pass an exam.
3. 公務員の給料は安定している。 A civil servant's salary is stable.

Usage Guide

Context: careers, government, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 公務 (public duties) and 員 (member, person).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal