社会人（しゃかいじん、shakaijin）
- working adult

The Japanese word 社会人, read as しゃかいじん (shakaijin), translates to "working adult," "member of society," or "person in the workforce." It refers to someone who has finished their education and is now employed, participating in the professional world and contributing to society. It implies a certain level of responsibility and independence. 社会人 status often signifies that a person is financially independent and responsible for their own actions.

⚫︎私は今年から社会人になります。 Translation: I will become a working adult starting this year. ⚫︎彼は真面目な社会人です。 Translation: He is a serious working adult. ⚫︎社会人になって、時間管理が難しくなりました。 Translation: Time management has become difficult since I became a working adult.

You use 社会人 to refer to people who are employed and part of the working world. It's often used when talking about career, employment, and the transition from student life to professional life. The word is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

The standard writing for 社会人 is with kanji, 社会人. The reading is always しゃかいじん in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word or variations in okurigana.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 社会人, but related terms include: ⚫︎ 会社員 (kaishain) – Company employee ⚫︎ サラリーマン (sararīman) – Salaryman (often specifically referring to white-collar workers) ⚫︎ 労働者 (roudousha) – Worker

⚫︎ 学生 (gakusei) – Student ⚫︎ 未成年 (miseinen) – Minor (underage) ⚫︎ フリーター (furītā) – Freeter (someone who works part-time jobs, not a full-time employee)

社会人として自立するために、貯金を始めました。 ・Translation: I started saving money in order to become independent as a working adult. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the financial independence associated with being a 社会人. It highlights the transition and the responsibilities that come with it.

彼は社会人になってから、すっかり大人になった。 ・Translation: He has completely matured since becoming a working adult. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes the change in character and the responsibilities associated with the life of a 社会人.

The word 社会人 is formed from two kanji: 社会 (shakai) meaning "society," and 人 (jin/hito) meaning "person." Therefore, the literal meaning is "society person" or "person of society," reflecting someone who is a contributing member of society, especially through employment.