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B1 verb #3,000 mais comum 7 min de leitura

残業する

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'zangyou' means 'extra work.' You might hear it in simple sentences like 'Zangyou desu' (It's overtime) or 'Zangyou shimasu' (I will work overtime). Think of it as the opposite of going home early. It's a useful word if you have a part-time job in Japan. You don't need to worry about the complex social issues yet; just focus on the basic idea of staying at work longer than planned. It's often used with 'kyou' (today) or 'ashita' (tomorrow). For example: 'Kyou wa zangyou shimasu' (I'll work late today). It's a suru-verb, so it's easy to conjugate into the polite 'shimasu' form.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'zangyou suru' in basic sentences with time and frequency. You can say things like 'Kinou wa 1-jikan zangyou shimashita' (I worked one hour of overtime yesterday). You should also recognize the noun form 'zangyou' and use it with 'aru/nai' (to have/not have). For example, 'Kyou wa zangyou ga arimasu ka?' (Do you have overtime today?). You might start to notice it in simple work-related dialogues. You should also be aware of the polite way to tell someone you are leaving while they are still working: 'Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.'
At the B1 level, you understand the nuances of 'zangyou suru' in a professional context. You can discuss the reasons for overtime, such as 'isogashii' (busy) or 'shigoto ga owaranai' (work isn't finishing). You can use the potential form 'zangyou dekiru' to talk about your availability. You are also likely to encounter the term 'zangyou-dai' (overtime pay) and can ask about it during a job interview or read about it in a simple contract. You understand that 'zangyou' is a standard part of Japanese work culture but also that there are efforts to reduce it. You can express your opinion on overtime using basic structures like '~to omoimasu' (I think that...).
At the B2 level, you can engage in more complex discussions about 'zangyou suru.' You understand the societal implications, such as the impact on mental health and the 'Work Style Reform' (Hatarakikata Kaikaku). You can use terms like 'saabisu zangyou' (unpaid overtime) and 'jikangai roudou' (outside-hours labor) correctly. You can describe trends in overtime using more advanced grammar like '~ni tsurete' (as... then...) or '~ippou de' (on the other hand). You are comfortable reading news articles about labor issues and can understand the difference between 'voluntary' overtime and 'compulsory' overtime in a corporate setting.
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the legal and structural aspects of 'zangyou suru.' You can navigate complex labor contracts that specify 'minashi zangyou' (assumed overtime included in salary) and understand the legal limits set by the Labor Standards Act. You can participate in high-level debates about Japanese productivity versus long working hours. You understand the historical roots of the 'zangyou' culture in the post-war economic miracle and how it relates to the 'seniority system' (nenkou joretsu). Your vocabulary includes highly specific terms like '36 kyoutei' (Article 36 Agreement) which governs overtime work.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of the socio-economic and psychological dimensions of 'zangyou suru.' You can analyze the word's usage in literature, academic papers, and high-level corporate strategy. You understand the subtle linguistic shifts in how 'zangyou' is discussed in modern vs. traditional companies. You can use the word in sophisticated metaphors or ironies regarding the Japanese work ethic. You are capable of drafting legal documents or corporate policies regarding overtime and can negotiate complex labor disputes involving 'zangyou' with full mastery of the honorific and technical language required.
Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

残業する em 30 segundos

  • 残業する (zangyou suru) means to work overtime beyond scheduled hours. It is a core part of Japanese office vocabulary and culture.
  • It is a suru-verb, meaning it conjugates easily. It can also be used as a noun, 'zangyou,' to mean 'overtime work' itself.
  • The word is often associated with 'zangyou-dai' (overtime pay) and 'saabisu zangyou' (unpaid overtime), reflecting both positive and negative labor aspects.
  • In modern Japan, there is a strong movement toward reducing 'zangyou' to improve work-life balance and mental health among employees.

The term 残業する (zangyou suru) is a quintessential Japanese verb that encapsulates a significant aspect of the nation's labor culture. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to work overtime' or 'to do extra work after hours.' The word is composed of two kanji: 残 (zan), meaning 'remain' or 'leftover,' and 業 (gyou), meaning 'work,' 'business,' or 'task.' When combined with the light verb する (suru), it describes the act of performing tasks that remain after the official closing time of a workplace. In a global context, overtime is a common concept, but in Japan, zangyou carries deep sociological weight, often associated with the 'salaryman' lifestyle and the historical expectation of loyalty to one's company. It is not merely about finishing a task; it is often about the collective effort of a team staying late to ensure project success. Understanding this word requires looking beyond the dictionary definition into the nuances of Japanese office hierarchy and the evolving legal landscape regarding labor hours.

Etymological Breakdown
残 (Remaining) + 業 (Work) = Work that remains beyond the schedule.
Grammatical Category
Suru-verb (Group 3), often used as a noun (残業) or a verb (残業する).
Societal Context
Linked to concepts like 'Karoshi' (death from overwork) and 'Service Zangyou' (unpaid overtime).

「今日は仕事が終わらないので、少し残業します。」 (I won't finish my work today, so I will work a little overtime.)

In modern Japan, the perception of 残業する is shifting. While it was once seen as a badge of honor or a sign of dedication, recent 'Work Style Reform' (働き方改革) laws have sought to limit the amount of overtime employees can legally perform. This has led to a more critical view of excessive zangyou. However, the linguistic usage remains ubiquitous. Whether you are a student working a part-time job (arubaito) or a full-time corporate employee (seishain), you will encounter this word frequently. It is essential to distinguish between 'voluntary' overtime and 'forced' overtime, though the verb zangyou suru covers both. The nuance often depends on the adverbs used with it, such as 毎日 (every day), たまに (occasionally), or 無理に (unreasonably).

「残業するのが当たり前の文化を変えたい。」 (I want to change the culture where working overtime is taken for granted.)

Synonym Note
Overtime can also be called 'Chouka kinmu' (超過勤務) in formal or legal documents.

Using 残業する correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a suru-verb and the particles that typically accompany it. Because it is a verb of action, it follows the standard patterns for Group 3 verbs: 残業します (polite), 残業しない (negative), 残業した (past), and 残業している (continuous). The most common particle used with this verb is を (wo), though it is often omitted. You can say zangyou wo suru or simply zangyou suru. When specifying the duration of overtime, you use the particle で or no particle at all for time durations. For example, 'to work 2 hours of overtime' is 2時間残業する.

「昨日は夜10時まで残業しました。」 (Yesterday, I worked overtime until 10 PM.)

Another important aspect is the frequency and reason. You might hear phrases like 残業を減らす (to reduce overtime) or 残業が続く (overtime continues). In a sentence, the subject is usually the worker. If a boss makes an employee work overtime, the causative form 残業させる (zangyou saseru) is used. This is a common point of discussion in labor rights contexts. Furthermore, the potential form 残業できる (can work overtime) is often asked during job interviews to gauge an applicant's flexibility. It is also important to note the difference between zangyou and kinmu (work/duty). Zangyou is specifically the 'extra' part.

「繁忙期は毎日3時間ほど残業することになります。」 (During the busy season, it ends up that I work about 3 hours of overtime every day.)

Common Collocations
残業代 (zangyou-dai) - overtime pay; 残業時間 (zangyou-jikan) - overtime hours.

You will encounter 残業する in a variety of settings, ranging from professional environments to casual conversations. In the office, it is the standard way to discuss staying late. Managers might ask, 'Kyou wa zangyou dekimasu ka?' (Can you work overtime today?). Colleagues might complain to each other, 'Mata zangyou da...' (Overtime again...). In news and media, the word is central to discussions about labor laws, the 'Black Company' (burakku kigyou) phenomenon, and government initiatives to promote work-life balance. You will see headlines like 'Zangyou jikan no jougen' (The upper limit of overtime hours).

「ニュース：政府は月間の残業時間に制限を設ける方針です。」 (News: The government plans to set a limit on monthly overtime hours.)

In casual life, friends and family use it to explain why they are late for dinner or why they are tired. A spouse might call home saying, 'Zangyou ni natchatta' (I ended up having to work overtime). It is also a common theme in Japanese dramas and anime, particularly those focused on 'slice of life' or office settings (like 'Aggretsuko' or 'Hanzawa Naoki'), where the struggle with long hours is a recurring plot point. Even in part-time jobs (baito), if a shift runs long because the shop is busy, the manager will use this term. It is a word that bridges the gap between the formal economy and personal daily struggles.

「ごめん、急に残業することになったから、夕飯はいらないよ。」 (Sorry, I have to work overtime suddenly, so I don't need dinner.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 残業する is confusing it with simply 'working late' in a general sense. While zangyou suru means working late, it specifically implies working beyond one's contracted or scheduled hours. If you are a freelancer who chooses to work at 2 AM, that isn't necessarily zangyou; it's just 夜遅くまで働く (yoru osoku made hataraku). Zangyou requires a baseline schedule to 'remain' from. Another mistake is the misuse of particles. Learners often try to use に to indicate the time, but まで (until) or no particle (for duration) is usually more appropriate.

❌ 「8時に残業しました。」 (Incorrect: I worked overtime at 8:00.)
✅ 「8時まで残業しました。」 (Correct: I worked overtime until 8:00.)

Another common error is forgetting that zangyou is a noun that can stand alone. Some learners say 残業するがあります, which is grammatically broken. You should say 残業があります (I have overtime). Additionally, be careful with the politeness levels. In a formal interview, saying zangyou wa kirai desu (I hate overtime) might be too blunt. Instead, one might say kaiketsu subeki kadai da to omoimasu (I think it's an issue that should be resolved). Lastly, don't confuse zangyou with shukkin (going to work) or taikin (leaving work). Zangyou is the period between when you were supposed to leave and when you actually did.

Confusing Word
居残り (inokori) - Staying behind (often used for students or general staying late, less professional than zangyou).

To truly master the vocabulary of Japanese work life, it is helpful to compare 残業する with its synonyms and related terms. The most formal alternative is 超過勤務 (chouka kinmu), which literally means 'excess duty.' This term is used in legal contracts, government white papers, and HR manuals. While zangyou is the everyday word, chouka kinmu is the technical one. Another related term is 時間外労働 (jikangai roudou), meaning 'outside-hours labor.' This is also a technical term used in the context of labor unions and legal disputes.

「契約書には超過勤務の手当について記載されています。」 (The allowance for excess duty is described in the contract.)

For a more casual or specific context, there is 居残り (inokori). This is often used for students staying after school to finish work or clean up, but it can also be used for workers staying late in a non-contractual sense. Then there is the infamous サービス残業 (saabisu zangyou), which refers to 'service' (free) overtime. This is a critical term in Japanese society, referring to work that is not recorded or paid. On the opposite side, we have 定時退社 (teiji taisha), which means leaving work exactly on time. In recent years, ノー残業デー (No Overtime Day) has become a popular corporate policy where employees are encouraged to leave on time at least once a week.

Opposite Concepts
定時 (teiji) - Regular hours; 早退 (soutai) - Leaving early.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

Exemplos por nível

1

今日は残業します。

I will work overtime today.

Basic suru-verb usage.

2

残業はありますか？

Is there overtime?

Noun form with 'arimasu'.

3

昨日は残業しました。

I worked overtime yesterday.

Past tense 'shimashita'.

4

残業は嫌いです。

I hate overtime.

Simple preference expression.

5

少し残業します。

I will work a little overtime.

Adverb 'sukoshi' modifying the verb.

6

毎日残業しますか？

Do you work overtime every day?

Frequency adverb 'mainichi'.

7

残業はしません。

I don't work overtime.

Negative form 'shimasen'.

8

明日も残業です。

It's overtime tomorrow too.

Noun + desu.

1

1時間だけ残業します。

I will work overtime for only one hour.

Duration + 'dake'.

2

残業が終わりました。

The overtime has finished.

Noun as subject with 'owaru'.

3

仕事が多いので、残業します。

Because there is a lot of work, I will work overtime.

Reasoning with 'node'.

4

残業代はいくらですか？

How much is the overtime pay?

Compound noun 'zangyou-dai'.

5

今日は残業したくないです。

I don't want to work overtime today.

Desire form 'takunai'.

6

田中さんはまだ残業しています。

Mr. Tanaka is still working overtime.

Continuous form 'shite-imasu'.

7

残業の後は疲れました。

I was tired after the overtime.

Noun + 'no ato'.

8

あまり残業したくありません。

I don't really want to work overtime.

Adverb 'amari' with negative desire.

1

急な仕事で残業することになった。

I ended up having to work overtime due to urgent work.

Resultative 'koto ni natta'.

2

残業を減らすために工夫しています。

I am making efforts to reduce overtime.

Purpose 'tame ni'.

3

最近、残業が続いています。

Lately, overtime has been continuing.

Verb 'tsuzuku' in continuous form.

4

残業できるかどうか教えてください。

Please let me know whether you can work overtime or not.

Embedded question 'dou ka'.

5

残業時間は月に20時間くらいです。

The overtime hours are about 20 hours a month.

Noun 'zangyou-jikan'.

6

サービス残業は法律で禁止されています。

Unpaid overtime is prohibited by law.

Passive voice 'kinshi saretiru'.

7

彼は残業を断ることができない。

He cannot refuse overtime.

Potential negative 'koto ga dekinai'.

8

残業しすぎて体調を崩した。

I ruined my health by working too much overtime.

Excessive 'sugiru' form.

1

働き方改革で残業が制限された。

Overtime was restricted due to work-style reforms.

Causal 'de' and passive 'seigen sareta'.

2

効率を上げれば、残業する必要はない。

If we increase efficiency, there's no need to work overtime.

Conditional 'ba' and 'hitsuyou wa nai'.

3

残業が当たり前という風潮がある。

There is a tendency to take overtime for granted.

Noun phrase 'to iu fuuchou'.

4

不必要な残業は避けるべきだ。

Unnecessary overtime should be avoided.

Obligation 'beki da'.

5

残業代がしっかり支払われる会社を選ぶ。

I will choose a company where overtime pay is properly paid.

Relative clause modifying 'kaisha'.

6

プロジェクトの締め切り前は残業が不可避だ。

Before a project deadline, overtime is unavoidable.

Adjective 'fukahi' (unavoidable).

7

残業を美徳とする考え方は古い。

The mindset of considering overtime a virtue is old-fashioned.

Phrase 'wo bitoku to suru'.

8

残業時間の削減が喫緊の課題となっている。

Reducing overtime hours has become an urgent issue.

Formal expression 'kikkin no kadai'.

1

過度な残業は過労死のリスクを高める。

Excessive overtime increases the risk of death from overwork.

Formal 'kado na' and 'takameru'.

2

36協定に基づき、残業時間を管理する。

Manage overtime hours based on the Article 36 Agreement.

Formal 'ni motozuki'.

3

みなし残業制度のメリットとデメリットを検討する。

Examine the pros and cons of the assumed overtime system.

Specific term 'minashi zangyou'.

4

残業削減が生産性の向上に直結するとは限らない。

Reducing overtime does not necessarily lead directly to increased productivity.

Negative certainty 'to wa kagiranai'.

5

労働基準法が改正され、残業の上限が厳格化された。

The Labor Standards Act was revised, and the upper limit of overtime was tightened.

Passive 'genkakuka sareta'.

6

残業が常態化している職場環境を改善すべきだ。

The workplace environment where overtime has become normalized should be improved.

Term 'joutaika' (normalization).

7

サービス残業の隠蔽は重大なコンプライアンス違反だ。

Hiding unpaid overtime is a serious compliance violation.

Formal 'inpei' and 'ihan'.

8

ワークライフバランスの観点から残業を抑制する。

Suppress overtime from the perspective of work-life balance.

Formal 'no kanten kara'.

1

日本型雇用の構造的問題が残業の温床となっている。

Structural problems in Japanese-style employment are a hotbed for overtime.

Metaphorical 'onshou' (hotbed).

2

残業という慣習が、労働市場の流動性を阻害している側面もある。

There is also an aspect where the custom of overtime hinders labor market fluidity.

Formal 'sogai shiteiru'.

3

長時間労働の是正は、単なる時間短縮に留まらない深い課題だ。

Correcting long working hours is a deep issue that goes beyond mere time reduction.

Formal 'zesei' and 'ni todomaranai'.

4

残業代への依存が、かえって業務の非効率を招いている。

Dependence on overtime pay is, on the contrary, leading to operational inefficiency.

Adverb 'kaette' (on the contrary).

5

暗黙の了解として残業を強いる文化は、現代社会では通用しない。

A culture that forces overtime as a tacit understanding is not acceptable in modern society.

Phrase 'anmoku no ryoukai'.

6

残業時間の多寡が人事評価に影響を及ぼす時代は終焉を迎えつつある。

The era where the amount of overtime affects performance evaluations is coming to an end.

Formal 'taka' (amount) and 'shuuen'.

7

残業の質的変化を捉えるには、労働密度の視点が欠かせない。

To grasp the qualitative change in overtime, the perspective of labor density is essential.

Formal 'shitsuteki henka' and 'kakasenai'.

8

脱残業社会の実現には、個人の意識改革と制度設計の両輪が必要だ。

To realize a post-overtime society, both individual awareness reform and institutional design are necessary.

Formal 'datsu-zangyou' and 'ryourin'.

Colocações comuns

残業代が出る
残業を減らす
残業が続く
残業を強いる
残業を断る
残業時間を削る
残業に追われる
残業を許可する
残業が重なる
残業を申請する

Frases Comuns

残業手当

サービス残業

ノー残業デー

残業規制

残業代込み

残業の嵐

残業続き

残業なし

残業地獄

残業三昧

Frequentemente confundido com

残業する vs 居残り (inokori)

Used more for students or general staying behind, less formal than zangyou.

残業する vs 夜更かし (yofukashi)

Staying up late at night (general), not necessarily for work.

残業する vs 超過勤務 (chouka kinmu)

The formal/legal term for overtime.

Expressões idiomáticas

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Fácil de confundir

残業する vs

残業する vs

残業する vs

残業する vs

残業する vs

Padrões de frases

Como usar

Noun vs Verb

Can be used as 'zangyou suru' or 'zangyou ga aru'.

Social Nuance

Be careful using it casually; it often implies tiredness or frustration.

Particle usage

Use 'made' for the end time, 'de' or no particle for duration.

Erros comuns
  • Using 'zangyou suru' for homework (use 'shukudai' instead).
  • Using 'ni' for the end time (use 'made' instead).
  • Confusing 'zangyou' with 'yofukashi' (staying up late for fun).
  • Thinking 'zangyou' is always voluntary (it is often expected).
  • Forgetting the 'u' at the end of 'zangyou' (it's a long 'o' sound).

Dicas

Suru-Verb Rule

Remember that 'zangyou' is the noun and 'suru' makes it a verb. You can use them interchangeably in many contexts.

Leaving the Office

Always acknowledge those who are still working overtime when you leave by saying 'Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu'.

Overtime Pay

Learn 'zangyou-dai' early, as it is a crucial word when discussing job conditions and contracts.

Team Spirit

In some traditional offices, people stay late just because their boss is still there. This is called 'tsukiai zangyou'.

Labor Rights

Knowing the term 'saabisu zangyou' helps you identify and discuss unfair working conditions in Japan.

Complaining

If you want to sound natural when tired, say 'Zangyou tsuzuki de tsukareta' (I'm tired from continuous overtime).

Announcements

Listen for 'teiji' (regular time) to know when the official workday ends and 'zangyou' begins.

Emailing

If you are late replying to an email because of work, you can say 'Zangyou no tame, henshin ga okuremashita'.

Job Search

Ask 'Heikin zangyou jikan wa dorekurai desu ka?' to find out the average overtime at a company.

Balance

Use the term 'waaku raifu baransu' when discussing why you want to avoid excessive 'zangyou'.

Memorize

Mnemônico

ZAN (Remaining) + GYOU (Work) = The work that remains after everyone else leaves.

Origem da palavra

Sino-Japanese compound describing work that remains after hours.

Contexto cultural

Death caused by overwork, often linked to excessive zangyou.

Drinking parties that often happen after zangyou.

A company known for exploitative labor practices, including forced zangyou.

Illegal unpaid overtime that employees feel pressured to do.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"最近、残業は多いですか？ (Have you had much overtime lately?)"

"残業代はちゃんと出ますか？ (Do you get overtime pay properly?)"

"残業を減らすにはどうすればいいと思いますか？ (What do you think we should do to reduce overtime?)"

"昨日は何時まで残業しましたか？ (Until what time did you work overtime yesterday?)"

"残業のない会社で働きたいですか？ (Do you want to work at a company with no overtime?)"

Temas para diário

今日の残業について書いてください。 (Write about today's overtime.)

日本の残業文化についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japan's overtime culture?)

理想的な労働時間について説明してください。 (Explain your ideal working hours.)

残業をした後のリラックス方法は何ですか？ (How do you relax after working overtime?)

残業を減らすためのアイデアを提案してください。 (Propose ideas to reduce overtime.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It refers to unpaid overtime work, which is illegal but sometimes practiced in Japan.

Legally, yes, it should be paid as 'zangyou-dai', usually at a higher rate (1.25x).

You can say 'Dekireba teiji ni kaeritai desu' (If possible, I'd like to go home on time).

A specific day of the week when a company encourages all employees to leave exactly on time.

Usually no; 'inokori' or 'shukudai' is used for school-related extra work.

Generally 45 hours per month, though there are exceptions for busy periods.

It varies, but many modern companies are actively trying to eliminate it.

A system where a fixed amount of overtime pay is included in the base salary.

It is a standard suru-verb: zangyou shimasu, zangyou shinai, zangyou shita.

It means 'overtime pay' or the money earned for working extra hours.

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