雑用(ざつよう)

雑用(ざつよう) refers to various small tasks that are not one's primary responsibilities.

Etymology

• 雑(ざつ): Miscellaneous, various
• 用(よう): Task, errand

Common collocations

• 雑用(ざつよう)に追(お)われる (to be swamped with odd jobs)
• 雑用(ざつよう)を片付(かたづ)ける (to finish miscellaneous tasks)
• 雑用(ざつよう)を任(まか)せる (to assign odd jobs)
• 雑用(ざつよう)をこなす (to handle miscellaneous tasks)
• 雑用(ざつよう)係(がかり) (person in charge of odd jobs)

Usage

• Can carry a slightly negative nuance of unimportant tasks
• Often contrasted with 本業(ほんぎょう) (main job) or 本来(ほんらい)の仕事(しごと) (actual duties)
• New employees often start with 雑用(ざつよう)

Similar words

• 用事(ようじ) (errand, task - more general)
• 雑事(ざつじ) (miscellaneous matters - slightly more formal)
• 小仕事(こしごと) (small tasks)

Register: Neutral. Common in workplace contexts.