職人（しょくにん、shokunin）
- craftsman

The word 職人, read as しょくにん (shokunin), refers to a skilled artisan, craftsman, or professional. It describes someone who has mastered a particular trade or craft and possesses a high level of skill, dedication, and expertise. 職人 are often known for their meticulous attention to detail, commitment to quality, and pride in their work. They may work in various fields, including traditional crafts, construction, manufacturing, and even the culinary arts. The term implies not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding and appreciation for their craft. A key aspect of a 職人's identity is a lifelong dedication to honing their skills and striving for perfection.

⚫︎ 彼は有名な大工の職人です。 Translation: He is a famous carpenter. ⚫︎ この寿司屋の板前は腕の良い職人です。 Translation: The sushi chef at this restaurant is a skilled craftsman. ⚫︎ その陶芸家は、長年の経験を持つ職人です。 Translation: That potter is a craftsman with many years of experience.

You use 職人 to describe someone who is highly skilled in a specific craft or trade. It's often used when you want to highlight the person's expertise, dedication, and the quality of their work. You can use it in various contexts, from casual conversations to more formal settings. When talking about someone's job or profession, it's a compliment that suggests a high level of competence and artistry.

職人 is most commonly written in kanji as 職人. The reading しょくにん is written in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is fixed, with no variations.

⚫︎ 職工 (しょっこう - shokkou) - worker, artisan (can sometimes have a slightly broader meaning) ⚫︎ 職方 (しょくかた - shokukata) - craftsman, artisan (similar meaning to 職人) ⚫︎ 達人 (たつじん - tatsujin) - master, expert (implies a very high level of skill) ⚫︎ 匠 (たくみ - takumi) - craftsman, artisan (often used to emphasize artistic skill)

While there isn't a direct antonym, words that imply a lack of skill or expertise could be considered opposites in concept. Examples might include: ⚫︎ 素人 (しろうと - shirouto) - amateur ⚫︎ 初心者 (しょしんしゃ - shoshinsha) - beginner ⚫︎ 下手 (へた - heta) - unskilled

彼は伝統的な木彫りの職人で、その技術は国宝級です。 ・Translation: He is a craftsman of traditional wood carving, and his skills are of national treasure class. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes the high skill level and importance of the craftsman's work, comparing it to a national treasure.

この時計は、熟練した職人の手によって一つ一つ作られました。 ・Translation: This watch was made one by one by the hands of a skilled craftsman. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the individual attention and skill involved in creating a high-quality product.

The word 職人 is composed of the kanji 職 (shoku), meaning "occupation" or "work," and 人 (nin), meaning "person." Therefore, 職人 literally translates to "a person of work" or "a worker." Over time, the meaning evolved to specifically refer to skilled artisans and craftspeople.