Have you ever found yourself speaking or acting like you’re still at work—even when you’re off duty? In Japanese, there’s a perfect word for this:
職業病（しょくぎょうびょう）
Literally “occupational disease,” but it’s usually used playfully. It describes those little habits, speech patterns, or reflexes that you pick up in your job and then accidentally bring into everyday life.
This concept is not only fun, but it’s also a brilliant way to expand your Japanese vocabulary and sound more natural.
職業病 in Action: Real-Life Scenes
🍽️ The Hospitality Worker
Imagine you work in a restaurant, greeting customers with a warm smile all day. One weekend, you visit a shop as a customer. The staff greets you with 「いらっしゃいませ！」… and before you realise it, you respond with the exact same 「いらっしゃいませ！」 back. Both of you laugh. That’s 職業病 in action!
🎓 The Teacher
You’re relaxing with friends at a café, but they get a little noisy. Without thinking, you tap the table and say: 「静かに！」(Be quiet!) Everyone bursts out laughing because you’ve slipped back into teacher mode.
💻 The Office Worker
Your phone rings at home. It’s your mother calling. Instead of a normal 「もしもし」you automatically answer:
「お世話になっております。〇〇会社の△△でございます。」
She pauses… then says, “What are you talking about?”
🩺 The Nurse
Here is a funny anecdote: A nurse friend once confessed: whenever she notices someone with thick veins, she immediately thinks, “Ah, it would be easy to take a blood sample from this person.” 💉😅
💊 The Pharmacist
You’re out with a friend, and she takes her medicine with a sip of green tea. Instinctively, your professional side kicks in:
「薬はちゃんと水で飲んだほうがいいよ。他の飲み物だと効き目が変わっちゃうかもしれないから。」(It’s better to take medicine with water. With other drinks, the effect might change.)
Your friend laughs and says, “You never stop being a pharmacist, do you?”
📸 The Photographer
At a café with friends, you catch yourself staring at how the sunlight falls across the table. Without thinking, you say:
「この光、ポートレート撮るのに最高かも。」(This light would be perfect for a portrait.))
Even during simple moments, your eyes are always chasing the perfect shot.
🍳 The Chef / Pastry Chef
At a dinner party, you take a bite and pause mid-chew, eyebrows narrowing in concentration. Instinctively, you murmur:
「この料理、美味しい。材料は何だろう…隠し味に入ってるのは……？」(This dish is delicious. What are the ingredients… what’s that hidden flavour?)
Even when you’re supposed to just enjoy the meal, your palate can’t help but go into detective mode.
📚 The Editor or Proofreader
A friend sends you a casual LINE message, and instead of just replying, you find yourself thinking in frustration:
「うわ、また誤字。」 (Oh no, another typo.)
職業病 is hard to turn off—even in texting!
👗 The Apparel Store Clerk
At a friend’s birthday party, you notice someone’s jacket is slightly crooked. Without thinking, you step in:
「ちょっと肩のラインを直させて。」(Let me just straighten your shoulder line.)
Even in casual events, your eye for detail and fashion sense takes over.
🇯🇵 My 職業病 as a Japanese tutor?
I can’t help feeling a little frustrated when I hear native Japanese speakers using “incorrect” grammar 😅 —for example, saying 食べれる instead of 食べられる, even though this usage is becoming increasingly accepted.
💬 Phrases You Can Use
To talk about your own habits, try these expressions:
- 「すみません、職業病で、つい・・・。」Sorry, it’s just an occupational habit—I couldn’t resist.
- 「つい仕事の言葉を使ってしまいました。」I ended up using work language without meaning to.
- 「〇〇なので、職業病が出ちゃいました。」Because I’m a [profession], my occupational habit slipped out.
More example:
「保育士なので、つい家族や友達にも『先生はね・・・』と言ってしまいます。」(Being a nursery teacher, I sometimes catch myself saying things like, “Miss [Name] is…”—addressing myself as a teacher—even to my family and friends.)
❓Have you…
Have you ever caught yourself speaking “work Japanese” outside of the office? Or do you have any amusing stories about your work habits? Hit reply and share your 職業病—I’d love to hear them!
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