1.
the rewarding aspect of one's work; sense of fulfillment or meaning from one's job
The feeling that one's work is worth doing — that it produces satisfaction, meaning, or a sense of accomplishment. A common topic in job-hunting, workplace surveys, and discussions of career values.
The moment I feel most fulfilled by my work is when a customer is pleased.
Composed of 仕事 (work, job), の (attributive particle), and やりがい (the feeling that doing something is worthwhile). やりがい itself comes from やる (to do) + 甲斐 (worth, value).
Usage
A very common phrase in discussions of career choice, workplace satisfaction, employee retention, and job hunting. Often heard in self-introductions and interviews.
Common collocations
- 仕事のやりがいを感じる: to feel fulfillment in one's work
- 仕事のやりがいがある: the work is rewarding
- 仕事のやりがいを見つける: to find meaning in one's work
- 仕事のやりがいを大切にする: to value fulfillment at work
Cultural note
In Japanese career discussions, やりがい is frequently contrasted with 給料 (salary) and 安定 (stability). A recurring debate in media and workplaces is whether to choose a job primarily for pay or for fulfillment — the phrase やりがい搾取 ("fulfillment exploitation") has emerged to criticize employers who expect workers to accept low pay because the work itself is meaningful.
Similar words
- 生きがい: a reason for living, what makes life worth living — broader; encompasses but is not limited to work
- 働きがい: the worthwhileness of working — very close in meaning; focuses specifically on work
- 達成感: sense of accomplishment — refers to the feeling after completing something, not the ongoing sense of meaning
- 充実感: sense of fulfillment — broader; applies to life overall
Related Words
Compare:
働きがい (the worthwhileness of working)
Compare:
達成感 (sense of accomplishment)
Compare:
充実感 (sense of fulfillment)