Meaning and Usage
"仕事" (しごと) primarily means "work," "job," or "occupation." It refers to tasks or duties someone performs, often related to employment or professional activities. It can describe both the concept of having a job and the actual tasks involved.
Common Contexts
You will hear "仕事" used when talking about one's employment status, daily tasks, or responsibilities. It is a very common noun in everyday conversation and formal contexts alike.
Collocations and Patterns
- 仕事をする: to do work; a basic phrase to express working
- 仕事が終わる: work finishes; used to indicate the end of a work period
- 新しい仕事: new job; often used when changing or seeking employment
Register and Politeness
"仕事" is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal speech. When combined with polite verbs or expressions, it fits well in business or polite conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "仕事" with "働く" (to work). Remember, "仕事" is a noun meaning "work/job," while "働く" is a verb meaning "to work." Use "仕事をする" to say "to do work."