Japanese · Work & Business
残業
zangyou
Overtime work
Intermediatenoun
Definition
Work done beyond normal hours. Japan has historically had a culture of long working hours, though recent reforms (働き方改革 hatarakikata kaikaku) have aimed to reduce this.
Example
最近、残業が多くて疲れています。
Recently I have had a lot of overtime and am tired.
Etymology
The term '残業' (zangyou) consists of '残' (zan), meaning 'remaining' or 'surplus,' and '業' (gyou), meaning 'work.' This concept became prominent in the post-war economic expansion in Japan.
How & Where It’s Used
'残業' is commonly used in formal and business contexts, especially in discussions of work hours. It is universally recognized across various Japanese regions.