サラリーマン
さらりーまん
noun
salaryman, office worker
1.
salaryman, white-collar worker, office worker
A male employee of a company who receives a regular salary. The term represents the typical Japanese corporate employee, especially in business contexts.
父は普通のサラリーマンだ。
My father is an ordinary office worker.
サラリーマン生活も悪くない。
Life as a salaryman isn't bad.
駅前はサラリーマンでいっぱいだ。
The area in front of the station is full of office workers.
ETYMOLOGY: English 'salary' + 'man' (wasei-eigo/Japanese-made English)
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The term サラリーマン became iconic during Japan's economic growth period (1960s-1980s), representing the dedicated corporate worker who prioritizes company loyalty.
GENDER NOTE: サラリーマン traditionally refers to male workers. The female equivalent is OL (オーエル, 'office lady'), though this term is increasingly seen as outdated. More gender-neutral terms like 会社員 (company employee) are now preferred.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- サラリーマン金太郎 (a popular manga character)
- 脱サラ (leaving corporate employment to start one's own business)
- サラリーマン川柳 (humorous poems about office life)
Related Words
Related:
会社員