会社員 combines 会社 (company) + 員 (member).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 会社員として働く (work as a company employee)
- 普通の会社員 (ordinary office worker)
RELATED TERMS:
- サラリーマン: salaryman (male office worker, casual)
- OL (オーエル): office lady (female office worker)
- 社員: company employee (more internal perspective)
- 公務員: government employee
Note: Common answer when asked about occupation (職業は何ですか).