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A1 noun #3,099 most common 8 min read

採用

saiyō Top 3,099

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 採用 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 採用 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn '採用' (Saiyou) as a word related to jobs. Even if you don't use it yourself yet, you will see it in job ads or simple stories about people getting work. Think of it as a formal way to say 'hired'. For example, 'I got a job' can be 'Saiyou saremashita' (I was hired). At this level, just focus on the 'hiring' meaning. You might see it on a sign: 'Part-time staff wanted' often uses the word 'Saiyou'. It's a 'Level 1' business word that helps you understand basic information about work in Japan. Remember the sound: Sai-you. It sounds a bit like 'Sigh-yo'.

At the A2 level, you can start using '採用' as a Suru-verb in simple sentences. You should understand the structure 'Person を採用する' (Hire a person). You can also use it to talk about your own experiences or your friends' experiences. For example, 'Tanaka-san was hired by a big company.' You should also begin to recognize it in the context of choosing things, like 'The teacher adopted a new book.' At this stage, you are learning that Japanese has different words for 'choosing' depending on how official the choice is. 'Saiyou' is your first 'official choice' word. You might also see 'Saiyou Jouhou' (Hiring Information) on websites.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '採用' in both its hiring and its 'adoption of ideas' contexts. You will encounter this word frequently in JLPT N3 reading passages. You should understand how to use it with the passive voice ('saiyou sareru') which is very common in news and formal reports. You should also start learning common compound nouns like 'Saiyou Shiken' (Recruitment Exam) and 'Saiyou Kijun' (Hiring Criteria). You can use it to describe business decisions: 'The company decided to adopt a 4-day work week.' This level requires you to distinguish 'Saiyou' from 'Erabu' (casual choosing) and 'Yatou' (informal hiring).

At the B2 level, '採用' becomes a tool for discussing complex organizational and social issues. You should be able to use it to talk about government policies, technical standards, and corporate strategies. For example, 'The government adopted a new environmental policy.' You should also understand the nuance of 'Saiyou' in academic or legal contexts, such as a court 'adopting' a piece of evidence or a theory. At this level, you should also be familiar with related terms like 'Koyou' (employment) and 'Touyou' (appointment) and know exactly when to use each. You should be able to write a formal email or report using 'Saiyou' correctly to describe a selection process.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '採用' and its role in Japanese institutional logic. You can discuss the implications of 'Saiyou' in the context of Japanese labor history, such as the 'Shuushin Koyou' (lifetime employment) system and how 'Saiyou' practices have changed over the decades. You should be able to use the word in high-level debates about technology standards (e.g., 'The adoption of ISO standards'). You should also recognize the word in classical or highly formal literature where it might refer to the 'adoption' of a person into a family or a specific lineage of art or craft. Your usage should be precise and contextually appropriate.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of '採用' and all its subtle connotations. You can use it in philosophical or abstract discussions—for instance, the 'adoption' of a certain worldview or linguistic framework. You understand the etymological roots of the kanji and can appreciate why 'Sai' (to gather) and 'You' (to use) were chosen to represent this concept. You can navigate the most complex legal and corporate documents where 'Saiyou' might be used in highly specific, technical ways. You are also sensitive to the social weight of the word in Japan, understanding how 'Saiyou' (or the lack thereof) shapes social identity and economic stability. You can use it with perfect register, from highly formal speeches to nuanced business negotiations.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

採用 in 30 Seconds

Saiyou means hiring a person or adopting an idea/system.
It is a formal word used by companies and organizations.
The opposite of 'saiyou' is 'fusaiyou' (not hired/rejected).
It is a Suru-verb: saiyou suru (to hire/adopt).

The Japanese word 採用 (Saiyou) is a cornerstone of professional and organizational Japanese. At its core, it refers to the act of 'adopting' or 'picking up' something to be used. While English speakers often first encounter this word in the context of employment, its semantic range is significantly broader, encompassing the selection of ideas, technologies, laws, and methods. The first kanji, 採 (sai), means to gather, pick, or collect (as seen in words like 'picking fruit'). The second kanji, 用 (you), means to use or employ. Together, they form a concept of 'selecting something from a pool of options specifically to put it into use.'

Employment Context: In the world of business, 'Saiyou' is the standard term for hiring. When a company decides to give you a job, they 'saiyou' you. This is more formal than 'yatou' (to hire/employ) and focuses on the decision-making process of the organization.

当社は今年、50人の新入社員を採用しました。(Our company hired 50 new employees this year.)

Beyond hiring, 'Saiyou' is used when a proposal is accepted in a meeting. If you suggest a new way to save energy and the board likes it, your idea is 'saiyou-ed'. This nuance of 'acceptance after evaluation' is critical. It implies that there were other options or a state of non-use before this specific choice was made. In the realm of technology, if a manufacturer decides to use a specific type of chip in their new smartphone, they are 'saiyou-ing' that chip. It is the official 'signing off' on a choice.

Decision Making: The term is heavily used in government and academic settings. When a new textbook is chosen for a school district, it is 'saiyou'. When a new policy is implemented, it is 'saiyou'.

新しい制度が来月から採用されることになった。(It was decided that the new system will be adopted from next month.)

In Japan's unique job-hunting culture (Shuukatsu), the word carries immense weight. Students spend years preparing for 'Saiyou Shiken' (recruitment exams). Receiving a 'Saiyou Tsuuchi' (notice of employment) is a major life milestone. The word is often paired with 'suru' to become a verb, but it is also frequently used as a compound noun, such as 'Saiyou Tantousha' (the person in charge of hiring/recruiter).

Using 採用 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a Suru-verb. The most common pattern is [Object] を採用する ([Object] o saiyou suru). Depending on what that object is, the meaning shifts between hiring and adopting.

Pattern 1: Hiring People: When the object is a person or a group, it means to hire. It is often used in the passive voice (採用される - to be hired) when talking from the perspective of the employee.

彼はその会社に正社員として採用された。(He was hired as a full-time employee by that company.)

Note the use of 'として' (toshite) meaning 'as'. This is a very common structure: [Person] を [Role] として採用する. This specifies the capacity in which someone is being brought into the organization.

Pattern 2: Adopting Ideas or Systems: When the object is an abstract noun like 'idea' (idea), 'keikaku' (plan), or 'gijutsu' (technology), it means to adopt or implement.

会議で私の提案が採用されました。(My proposal was adopted at the meeting.)

In this context, 'Saiyou' implies that the proposal was selected over others or was deemed worthy of being put into practice. It is the moment of 'approval' that leads to 'action'.

Pattern 3: Compound Nouns: 'Saiyou' frequently combines with other nouns to create specific business terms. Understanding these is key for JLPT learners and professionals.

現在、採用活動を行っています。(We are currently conducting recruitment activities.)

Other common compounds include 'Saiyou Kijun' (hiring criteria), 'Saiyou Kekka' (hiring results), and 'Saiyou Jouhou' (employment information). These are often seen as headers on company websites.

If you are in Japan, you will encounter 採用 in several distinct environments. The most visible is the 'Job Hunting' environment. During the spring, train stations are filled with posters from companies announcing their 'Saiyou' schedules. You'll see advertisements for 'Saiyou Saito' (recruitment sites) like Rikunabi or Mynavi. In this context, 'Saiyou' is synonymous with opportunity and the start of a career.

In the Office: Inside a Japanese company, 'Saiyou' is used by managers and HR staff. You'll hear it in meetings: 'Which vendor's software should we saiyou?' or 'We need to increase our saiyou budget for next year.' It is the language of corporate decision-making.

新しいロゴのデザインが採用された。(The new logo design was adopted/chosen.)

Another common place is in the news. When the Japanese government adopts a new economic policy or a new law, the media uses 'Saiyou'. Similarly, in international news, if a foreign technology is 'saiyou-ed' by a Japanese firm (like a car manufacturer choosing a specific battery), it is reported using this word. It carries a sense of 'official selection' that 'erabu' (to choose) lacks.

In Education: Teachers are 'saiyou-ed' by the Board of Education. The 'Kyouiku Iinkai' (Board of Education) holds 'Saiyou Shiken' (teacher recruitment exams) once a year. For aspiring teachers, 'Saiyou' is the ultimate goal.

彼は教員採用試験に合格した。(He passed the teacher recruitment exam.)

Finally, you'll see it in technical manuals. If a machine 'saiyou-s' a specific cooling system, the manual will state it clearly. It indicates a deliberate engineering choice. In all these cases, 'Saiyou' signals that a choice has been made from several possibilities to achieve a specific goal.

While 採用 is a versatile word, learners often confuse it with other terms that mean 'to use' or 'to hire'. The most frequent mistake is using 'Saiyou' when 'Yatou' or 'Koyou' would be more natural, or when 'Erabu' is sufficient.

Confusing with 雇う (Yatou): 'Yatou' is the general word for 'to hire'. It is more colloquial and focuses on the relationship between the employer and the employee. 'Saiyou' is the formal process of selection. You wouldn't say you 'saiyou' a babysitter for one night; you 'yatou' them.

❌ 庭師を採用した。
✅ 庭師を雇った。(I hired a gardener.)

'Saiyou' is for organizational hiring. If you are a company, you 'saiyou' an employee. If you are an individual hiring a service, use 'yatou'.

Confusing with 選ぶ (Erabu): 'Erabu' simply means 'to choose'. You can 'erabu' an apple at the store. You cannot 'saiyou' an apple. 'Saiyou' requires that the choice leads to a functional implementation or a formal status change.

❌ 今日のランチを採用した。
✅ 今日のランチを選んだ。(I chose today's lunch.)

Passive Voice Confusion: Learners often forget to use the passive voice when they are the ones getting the job. 'I hired the company' (Watashi wa kaisha wo saiyou shita) means you are the boss hiring the firm. 'I was hired' is 'Saiyou sareta'.

Lastly, don't confuse 'Saiyou' with 'Koyou' (employment). 'Saiyou' is the *act* of hiring (the point of entry), while 'Koyou' is the *state* of being employed (the ongoing relationship). You 'saiyou' someone to start their 'koyou'.

Japanese has many words for 'selection' and 'employment'. Choosing the right one depends on the context and the level of formality required. Let's compare 採用 with its closest relatives.

採用 (Saiyou) vs. 雇用 (Koyou): As mentioned, 'Saiyou' is the point of hiring. 'Koyou' is the broader concept of employment. A 'Koyou Keiyaku' is an employment contract. You use 'Koyou' when talking about labor laws, unemployment rates (shitsugyou-ritsu), and the general system of labor.

採用 (Saiyou) vs. 登用 (Touyou): 'Touyou' specifically means appointing someone to a higher position or a special role. It often implies giving someone a chance they haven't had before. While 'Saiyou' is getting into the company, 'Touyou' is being selected for a specific important task or promotion.

彼は若くして役員に登用された。(He was appointed as an executive at a young age.)

採用 (Saiyou) vs. 導入 (Dounyuu): When talking about systems or technology, 'Saiyou' means the decision to use it. 'Dounyuu' means the actual introduction or installation. You 'saiyou' a new software (decide to use it), and then you 'dounyuu' it (install it across the office).

採用 (Saiyou) vs. 選考 (Senkou): 'Senkou' means 'screening' or 'selection process'. It is what happens *before* 'Saiyou'. A company does 'senkou' (interviews, tests) to decide who to 'saiyou'.

厳しい選考を経て、採用が決まった。(After a rigorous screening process, the hiring was decided.)

Understanding these nuances helps you sound more professional. In a business meeting, using 'Saiyou' correctly shows you understand the formal procedures of the organization.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 採 (sai) contains the 'hand' radical on the left (扌), which emphasizes the physical act of 'picking' or 'selecting' something by hand. In the past, it was often used for gathering herbs or minerals.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /saɪ.joʊ/

US /saɪ.joʊ/

The pitch accent in Japanese is 'Heiban' (Flat). This means the pitch starts low on 'sa' and stays high for 'i-yo-u'. [sa I YO U]

Rhymes With

太陽 (Taiyou - Sun) 対応 (Taiyou - Correspondence/Response) 解消 (Kaishou - Cancellation) 愛用 (Aiyou - Favorite use) 代用 (Daiyou - Substitution) 運用 (Unyou - Operation) 教養 (Kyouyou - Education/Culture) 内容 (Naiyou - Content)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'you' as a short 'yo'. It must be a long vowel (yo-u).
Mixing up the pitch accent with 'sa-I-yo-u' (Nakadaka), which can sound like other words.
Over-stressing the 'sai' like an English word. Japanese syllables have equal length.
Confusing the 'sai' sound with 'sei' (as in seikatsu).
Dropping the final 'u' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require N3 level knowledge. The word appears frequently in newspapers.

Writing 4/5

The kanji 採 (sai) is often confused with 彩 (sai - color) or 菜 (sai - vegetable).

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires understanding the difference between transitive and passive usage.

Listening 2/5

Very common in business and news broadcasts, easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

使う (Tsukau - To use) 選ぶ (Erabu - To choose) 会社 (Kaisha - Company) 仕事 (Shigoto - Work) 人 (Hito - Person)

Learn Next

雇用 (Koyou - Employment) 解雇 (Kaiko - Firing) 導入 (Dounyuu - Introduction/Installation) 条件 (Jouken - Conditions) 契約 (Keiyaku - Contract)

Advanced

抜擢 (Batteki - Special selection) 登用 (Touyou - Appointment) 採択 (Saitaku - Adoption of resolution) 適用 (Tekiyou - Application of law) 準用 (Junyou - Mutatis mutandis application)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs (N+する)

採用する (To hire/adopt)

Passive Voice (～される)

採用される (To be hired/adopted)

Noun + として (As a...)

エンジニアとして採用される (To be hired as an engineer)

Potential Form (～できる)

採用できる (Can hire/adopt)

Nominalization with こと

新しいシステムを採用することは重要だ (Adopting a new system is important)

Examples by Level

会社に採用されました。

I was hired by the company.

Uses the passive form 'saiyou saremashita' to mean 'was hired'.

アルバイトを採用します。

We are hiring part-time workers.

Direct object 'arubaito' followed by 'wo saiyou shimasu'.

彼は採用されましたか？

Was he hired?

Question form of the passive 'saiyou sareta'.

新しい社員を採用したいです。

I want to hire new employees.

Uses '~tai' to express desire to hire.

採用おめでとう！

Congratulations on being hired!

Used as a noun meaning 'the hiring/employment'.

ここは採用が難しいです。

It is hard to get hired here.

Noun 'saiyou' used as the subject.

採用の電話がありました。

I got a phone call saying I was hired.

Possessive 'no' connects hiring and phone call.

今日から採用です。

You are hired starting today.

Simple 'A is B' structure.

会社は10人を採用しました。

The company hired 10 people.

Specific number of people as the object.

私のアイデアが採用されました。

My idea was adopted.

Using 'saiyou' for an idea, not a person.

採用試験はいつですか？

When is the recruitment exam?

Compound noun 'saiyou shiken'.

新しいシステムを採用することにしました。

We decided to adopt a new system.

Uses '~koto ni shimashita' to show a decision.

彼は採用が決まって、とても嬉しそうです。

His hiring was decided, and he looks very happy.

Noun 'saiyou' used with 'ga kimaru' (to be decided).

この学校は新しい教科書を採用しました。

This school adopted a new textbook.

Using 'saiyou' for educational materials.

採用担当者にメールを送りました。

I sent an email to the hiring manager.

Compound noun 'saiyou tantousha'.

もっと多くの女性を採用すべきです。

We should hire more women.

Uses '~beki' meaning 'should'.

今回のプロジェクトでは、新しい技術を採用することになった。

It was decided that we will adopt new technology for this project.

Formal decision-making structure '~koto ni natta'.

不採用の通知が届いて、がっかりした。

I was disappointed to receive a rejection notice.

'Fu-saiyou' means rejection or not being hired.

会社は経験者を優先的に採用している。

The company is prioritizing hiring experienced people.

Adverbial 'yuusenteki ni' (prioritizing).

独自の教育プログラムを採用している幼稚園が多い。

There are many kindergartens that adopt their own educational programs.

Relative clause 'saiyou shite iru' modifying 'youchien'.

政府は新しい経済政策を採用することを検討している。

The government is considering adopting a new economic policy.

Uses 'kentou shite iru' (considering).

私の提案が採用される確率は低いだろう。

The probability of my proposal being adopted is likely low.

Noun 'kakuritsu' (probability) with a relative clause.

あの会社は、学歴に関係なく採用を行うことで有名だ。

That company is famous for hiring regardless of academic background.

'~ni kankeinaku' (regardless of).

採用基準を見直す必要があります。

We need to review the hiring criteria.

'~hitsuyou ga aru' (need to).

この手法を採用することで、コストを大幅に削減できる。

By adopting this method, we can significantly reduce costs.

Using 'saiyou suru koto de' to show means/method.

多様な人材を採用することは、企業の成長に不可欠だ。

Hiring diverse talent is essential for a company's growth.

Nominalized verb 'saiyou suru koto' as a subject.

その意見は、現実的ではないとして採用されなかった。

That opinion was not adopted because it was deemed unrealistic.

'~to shite' (as/deemed as) with negative passive.

最新のセキュリティシステムを採用しているため、安全だ。

It is safe because it adopts the latest security system.

'~tame' (because/due to).

彼は、実力が高く評価されて採用に至った。

He was hired because his abilities were highly evaluated.

'~ni itatta' (led to/reached the point of).

新しいデザイン案を採用するかどうか、議論が続いている。

Discussion continues on whether or not to adopt the new design proposal.

'~ka dou ka' (whether or not).

地元企業は、積極的に新卒採用を行っている。

Local companies are actively recruiting new graduates.

'Shinsotsu saiyou' (hiring new graduates).

その製品には、独自の冷却方式が採用されている。

The product employs a unique cooling method.

Passive voice 'saiyou sarete iru' for features.

司法試験の合格者が、裁判官として採用される。

Those who pass the bar exam are appointed as judges.

Highly formal institutional context.

この論文の理論が採用されれば、学界に大きな影響を与えるだろう。

If the theory in this paper is adopted, it will have a major impact on the academic world.

Conditional '~reba' in a hypothetical academic scenario.

企業は、AIを活用した採用選考プロセスの導入を進めている。

Companies are moving forward with the introduction of AI-powered recruitment screening processes.

Compound concepts: 'AI-katsuyou', 'saiyou-senkou-purosesu'.

労働力不足を背景に、定年後の再雇用・再採用が広がっている。

Against the backdrop of labor shortages, re-employment and re-hiring after retirement are spreading.

'~wo haikei ni' (with ... as a background).

厳正な審査の結果、彼の作品がコンクールの受賞作として採用された。

As a result of a strict examination, his work was selected as the prize-winning entry of the contest.

'Gensei na shinsa' (strict screening).

新しい会計基準の採用により、企業の財務諸表が大きく変わった。

With the adoption of new accounting standards, corporate financial statements have changed significantly.

'~ni yori' (due to/by means of).

その自治体は、独自の奨学金制度を採用し、若者の移住を促している。

The municipality has adopted its own scholarship system to encourage young people to migrate there.

Participial construction 'saiyou shi' (adopting and...).

伝統的な技法を現代のデザインに採用したことで、海外でも高く評価された。

By adopting traditional techniques into modern design, it was highly acclaimed abroad.

Complex causal structure.

パラダイムシフトに伴い、従来の思考枠組みを捨て、全く新しい視点を採用する必要がある。

With the paradigm shift, it is necessary to discard conventional thinking frameworks and adopt entirely new perspectives.

Highly abstract and philosophical usage.

その法案の採用は、憲法との整合性を巡って激しい論争を巻き起こした。

The adoption of that bill sparked intense controversy over its consistency with the Constitution.

'~wo megutte' (concerning/revolving around).

歴史学において、どの史料を採用するかは、研究者の歴史観を如実に反映する。

In historiography, which historical materials are adopted vividly reflects the researcher's view of history.

'Nyojitsu ni' (vividly/exactly).

企業の採用戦略は、単なる人員確保を超え、組織文化の再定義へと進化している。

Corporate recruitment strategies are evolving beyond mere staffing toward the redefinition of organizational culture.

'~wo koe' (beyond).

翻訳において、どの訳語を採用するかは、文脈の深層心理を読み解く作業に等しい。

In translation, which translated term to adopt is equivalent to deciphering the deep-seated psychology of the context.

'~ni hitoshii' (equivalent to).

その国家プロジェクトは、持続可能な開発目標（SDGs）を基本方針として採用した。

The national project adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its basic policy.

Institutional policy adoption.

学際的なアプローチを採用することで、これまで解明されなかった複雑な事象に光が当てられた。

By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, light was shed on complex phenomena that had previously remained unexplained.

'Hikari ga aterareta' (light was shed).

デジタル・トランスフォーメーションの波に乗り、多くの企業がアジャイル開発を採用し始めている。

Riding the wave of digital transformation, many companies are beginning to adopt agile development.

Modern business/tech terminology.

Synonyms

雇用登用抜擢適用導入

Antonyms

不採用却下解雇

Common Collocations

採用試験

新卒採用

中途採用

採用担当者

採用基準

技術を採用する

案を採用する

採用通知

積極的な採用

採用を見送る

Common Phrases

採用が決まる

— To have one's hiring or the adoption of one's idea officially decided. It is a moment of relief for applicants.

ついに採用が決まりました！ (My hiring has finally been decided!)

条件付き採用

— Probational or conditional hiring. Hiring someone based on certain conditions being met.

彼は条件付き採用となった。 (He was hired on a conditional basis.)

一括採用

— Mass hiring, usually referring to the Japanese practice of hiring many new graduates at once in April.

新卒の一括採用は日本独特の文化だ。 (Mass hiring of new graduates is a culture unique to Japan.)

通年採用

— Year-round recruitment. Hiring throughout the year rather than just in one specific season.

最近は通年採用を始める企業が増えている。 (Recently, more companies are starting year-round recruitment.)

採用枠

— The number of available positions or 'hiring slots'.

今年の採用枠は少ない。 (The number of hiring slots this year is small.)

即戦力を採用する

— To hire someone who can contribute immediately (someone with experience).

わが社は即戦力を採用したいと考えている。 (Our company wants to hire people who can contribute immediately.)

現地採用

— Local hiring. Hiring staff locally rather than sending expats from headquarters.

彼は海外支店で現地採用された。 (He was hired locally at the overseas branch.)

採用内定

— An unofficial job offer. In Japan, this is a formal promise of employment given before the start date.

10月に採用内定が出た。 (The unofficial job offer was issued in October.)

不採用になる

— To fail to get hired or have a proposal rejected.

残念ながら不採用になった。 (Unfortunately, I wasn't hired.)

採用サイト

— A recruitment website or the 'Careers' page of a company.

企業の採用サイトをチェックする。 (Check the company's recruitment site.)

Often Confused With

採用 vs 雇用 (Koyou)

Koyou is the ongoing state of employment; Saiyou is the act of hiring.

採用 vs 採択 (Saitaku)

Saitaku is specifically for adopting formal resolutions or voting on bills.

採用 vs 適用 (Tekiyou)

Tekiyou is applying a rule or law to a specific case, not necessarily selecting it for general use.

Idioms & Expressions

"門戸を広げる"

— To open the doors wider. Often used in the context of expanding 'saiyou' (hiring) to more diverse groups.

外国人の採用に門戸を広げる。(Open the doors wider to hiring foreigners.)

Formal/Idiomatic

"白羽の矢が立つ"

— To be singled out or selected (often for a difficult task). While not using the word saiyou, it describes the act of being 'chosen' for a role.

彼に採用の白羽の矢が立った。(He was the one chosen for the job.)

Literary/Formal

"適材適所"

— The right person in the right place. Often the goal of a good 'saiyou' process.

適材適所の採用を目指す。(Aim for hiring that puts the right people in the right places.)

Formal/Proverb

"三顧の礼"

— Showing great respect to recruit someone (based on a Chinese legend). Used when a company works hard to 'saiyou' a top talent.

三顧の礼を尽くして彼を採用した。(We went to great lengths to hire him.)

Literary/Historical

"狭き門"

— A narrow gate. Describes a highly competitive 'saiyou' process or exam.

その会社の採用は狭き門だ。(Hiring at that company is a narrow gate/very competitive.)

Common Idiom

"首を切る"

— To cut the neck (to fire someone). The brutal antonym-idiom to saiyou.

不況で多くの社員が首を切られた。(Many employees were fired due to the recession.)

Informal/Slang

"お墨付きをもらう"

— To get the official seal of approval. Often happens right before an idea is 'saiyou-ed'.

社長からお墨付きをもらって採用が決まった。(The adoption was decided after getting the CEO's seal of approval.)

Idiomatic

"青田買い"

— Buying the rice field while it's still green. Refers to companies recruiting students long before they graduate.

大手企業の青田買いが問題になっている。(The 'buying of green fields' by large firms is becoming a problem.)

Business Idiom

"鳴り物入り"

— With a great fanfare. Used when a new system or person is 'saiyou-ed' with a lot of publicity.

鳴り物入りで採用された新システム。(The new system that was adopted with great fanfare.)

Common Idiom

"二の足を踏む"

— To hesitate. Often used when a company is unsure whether to 'saiyou' a risky plan.

新しい技術の採用に二の足を踏む。(Hesitate to adopt new technology.)

Common Idiom

Easily Confused

採用 vs 雇う (Yatou)

Both mean 'to hire'.

'Yatou' is more casual and focuses on the labor relationship. 'Saiyou' is formal and focuses on the selection process.

庭師を雇う vs. 新入社員を採用する

採用 vs 導入 (Dounyuu)

Both are used for new systems.

'Saiyou' is the decision to use it. 'Dounyuu' is the physical act of bringing it in and setting it up.

新ソフトの採用を決め、来月から導入する。

採用 vs 選ぶ (Erabu)

Both involve selection.

'Erabu' is general (choosing fruit). 'Saiyou' is for official or organizational use.

ネクタイを選ぶ vs. デザイン案を採用する

採用 vs 登用 (Touyou)

Both mean picking someone for a job.

'Touyou' implies appointing someone to a specific, often higher, post or giving them a special opportunity.

民間人を大臣に登用する。

採用 vs 就職 (Shuushoku)

Both relate to getting a job.

'Shuushoku' is the action from the employee's side (getting a job). 'Saiyou' is the action from the employer's side (hiring).

銀行に就職した (I got a job at a bank) vs 銀行が彼を採用した (The bank hired him).

Sentence Patterns

[Organization] に採用されました。

ソニーに採用されました。

[Person] を [Role] として採用する。

彼をマネージャーとして採用する。

[Idea/System] が採用されることになった。

新しいルールが採用されることになった。

[Method] を採用することで、[Result] が得られる。

この方法を採用することで、良い結果が得られる。

[Background] を鑑み、[Policy] を採用するに至った。

現状を鑑み、新政策を採用するに至った。

[Criteria] に基づき、厳正に採用を行う。

社内規定に基づき、厳正に採用を行う。

[Context] において、どの [Element] を採用するかは [Subject] に委ねられている。

この文脈において、どの訳語を採用するかは翻訳者に委ねられている。

[Concept] の採用が [Impact] をもたらす。

そのパラダイムの採用が、科学界に革命をもたらす。

Word Family

Nouns

採用 (Saiyou - Adoption/Hiring)

不採用 (Fusaiyou - Rejection)

再採用 (Saisaiyou - Re-hiring)

採用者 (Saiyousha - The one who adopts/hires)

Verbs

採用する (Saiyou suru - To hire/adopt)

採用される (Saiyou sareru - To be hired/adopted)

雇用 (Koyou - Employment)

選考 (Senkou - Selection/Screening)

内定 (Naitei - Unofficial offer)

求人 (Kyuujin - Job opening)

抜擢 (Batteki - Special selection)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in business, education, and news. Common in daily life regarding jobs.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Saiyou' for personal choices. → Erabu (選ぶ)
You don't 'saiyou' a shirt or a movie. 'Saiyou' is for formal or organizational adoption.
Saying 'Watashi wa saiyou shita' to mean 'I was hired'. → Watashi wa saiyou sareta (私は採用された)
The active voice means you did the hiring. Use the passive voice if you are the employee.
Confusing 'Saiyou' with 'Koyou'. → Use 'Saiyou' for the act, 'Koyou' for the status.
You can't say 'I want to saiyou for a long time'. You say 'I want to be in koyou for a long time'.
Using 'Saiyou' for installing software. → Dounyuu (導入)
'Saiyou' is the decision to use the software. 'Dounyuu' is the actual installation process.
Miswriting the kanji 採 as 彩. → 採 (Gather/Pick)
彩 means color. 採 has the hand radical (扌), which is necessary for 'picking' someone for a job.

Tips

Formal vs Informal

Always use 'Saiyou' in business documents and 'Yatou' when talking about casual help like a part-time tutor or a gardener.

Passive Voice

Remember that 'Saiyou sareta' is the most common way to say 'I got the job'. Using the active 'Saiyou shita' makes you the boss.

Hand Radical

Look at the 扌 radical in 採. It represents a hand. Think of a hand picking a resume from a pile. This helps distinguish it from other 'Sai' kanji.

Opposites

Learn 'Fusaiyou' at the same time. It's the word you'll see in rejection emails, often called 'Inori Mail' because they 'pray' for your future success.

Recruit Suits

When you think of 'Saiyou', imagine the sea of black suits in Tokyo in April. That is the visual embodiment of 'Saiyou' culture in Japan.

Hiring Managers

The term 'Saiyou Tantousha' is essential for job seekers. It's the person you address your cover letter to if you don't have a specific name.

Decision Making

Use 'Saiyou' in meetings to sound decisive. 'Kono pura n wo saiyou shimashou' (Let's adopt this plan) sounds very professional.

News Keywords

In news about the economy, 'Saiyou' often appears with 'Kyuujin' (job openings). If 'Saiyou' is increasing, the economy is usually doing well.

Compounds

Don't just learn the verb. Learn 'Saiyou Kijun' (criteria) and 'Saiyou Waku' (quota). These are the 'meat' of business Japanese.

Sigh-You

Remember: 'Sigh' (Sai) with relief because they want to 'Use' (You) you. This simple English pun works every time.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are in a garden 'Sighing' (Sai) with relief because you finally found the right tool to 'Use' (You). You 'Sai-You' (pick and use) the best one.

Visual Association

Visualize a hand (the radical in 採) picking a bright gold star out of a box of gray ones and placing it onto a machine to make it work.

Word Web

Business Interview New Employee Proposal Acceptance Selection Contract HR

Challenge

Try to find the 'Saiyou' (Careers) link on three different Japanese company websites (like Sony, Nintendo, or Toyota) and see what requirements they list.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two Kanji: 採 (to pick/gather) and 用 (to use). It originated in Classical Chinese but evolved into its modern business sense in Japan during the Meiji era modernization.

Original meaning: To pick up an object and put it to use.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'Fusaiyou' (rejection). It is a very sensitive topic for job seekers in Japan. In emails, companies use very polite language (e.g., 'Inori mail') to deliver this news.

In English, we distinguish between 'hiring' (people) and 'adopting' (plans). Japanese uses 'Saiyou' for both, which can be confusing for English speakers who expect two different words.

The movie 'Lion' (Japanese title: 'Lion/25-nenme no Tadaima') features themes of adoption, though 'youshi-engumi' is used for family adoption, 'saiyou' appears in the corporate subplots. Japanese TV dramas like 'Hanzawa Naoki' frequently use 'Saiyou' when discussing high-level bank strategies. The 'Saiyou Shiken' is a common trope in Anime, representing a high-pressure hurdle for protagonists.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Hunting

採用試験を受ける
採用通知を待つ
不採用になる
採用サイトで探す

Business Meetings

新しい案を採用する
どの技術を採用するか
採用のメリットを説明する
反対意見により採用を見送る

Technology/Engineering

独自OSを採用している
最新素材の採用
規格を採用する
コスト面から採用を断念する

Government/Policy

新制度の採用
教科書の採用
公務員採用
国際基準の採用

Daily Life (Casual)

その意見、採用！
いいアイデアを採用したね
バイトに採用された
新しいルールを採用しよう

Conversation Starters

"最近、新しい社員を採用しましたか？ (Have you hired any new employees lately?)"

"あなたの会社では、どのような採用基準がありますか？ (What kind of hiring criteria does your company have?)"

"会議であなたの提案が採用されたことはありますか？ (Has your proposal ever been adopted in a meeting?)"

"日本の新卒採用についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japan's new graduate recruitment?)"

"新しい技術をすぐに採用する方ですか？ (Are you the type to adopt new technology right away?)"

Journal Prompts

もし自分が社長だったら、どのような人を採用したいですか？ (If you were a CEO, what kind of people would you want to hire?)

最近、自分の生活に採用した新しい習慣について書いてください。 (Write about a new habit you recently adopted in your life.)

初めて仕事に採用された時の気持ちを思い出して書いてください。 (Write about how you felt when you were hired for your first job.)

「不採用」の経験から学んだことは何ですか？ (What did you learn from an experience of being rejected/not hired?)

AIが採用選考を行うことについて、あなたの意見を述べてください。 (State your opinion on AI conducting recruitment screening.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'Saiyou' is widely used for ideas, plans, methods, and technologies. For example, 'Kono keikaku wo saiyou suru' (We will adopt this plan). It simply means picking something out of several options to put it into use.

'Saiyou' is the act of hiring (the 'entry' point). 'Koyou' is the ongoing state of being employed. You receive a 'Saiyou Tsuuchi' (hiring notice), but you sign a 'Koyou Keiyaku' (employment contract).

No, that would sound very strange and robotic. 'Saiyou' is for formal, organizational, or practical contexts. For choosing a partner, use words like 'erabu' (choose) or 'tsukiau' (date).

'Fusaiyou' means 'not hired' or 'rejected'. It is the word used when you don't pass a job interview or your proposal is not chosen. It is often seen in the phrase 'Fusaiyou tsuuchi' (rejection notice).

You should use the passive voice: 'Saiyou saremashita'. If you want to be even more formal, you can say 'Saiyou itadakimashita' (I received the honor of being hired).

Yes, it can be used when a team adopts a new strategy or when a league adopts a new rule. For example, 'Atarashii ruuru ga saiyou sareta' (A new rule was adopted).

It refers to the Japanese practice of hiring students who are about to graduate from university or high school. It is the most common way for young people to enter the workforce in Japan.

Only in a business sense. A restaurant might 'saiyou' (adopt/choose) a specific brand of rice for all its branches. You wouldn't use it to describe choosing what to eat for dinner.

Yes, it is very common at the N3 level and above. It appears frequently in reading passages about work culture or technology.

While 'Fusaiyou' is the opposite of being hired, 'Kaiko' (dismissal/firing) is the opposite of the state of employment. 'Haishi' (abolition) is the opposite of adopting a system.