This document discusses contemporary Japanese vocabulary related to relationships, marriage, and work. It provides translations and explanations of terms used to describe modern attitudes towards spouse-hunting, dating, gender roles, careers, and family structures. Words outlined include those referring to job-hunting, personal traits, appropriate marriage timelines, types of employment, living situations, expectations of wives, and packaged relationships. The terms presented seek to characterize evolving Japanese concepts and cultural practices.

1. Vocabulary Japanese Contemporary Society
Robert Croker, Nanzan University 1
Words: Nakano (2014)
konkatsu 婚活 (結婚活動）‘spouse-hunting activities’
shuushoku katsudou 就職活動 job-hunting activities
nikushoku-kei joshi 肉食系女子 ‘carnivorous women’
soushou-kei danshi 草食系男子 ‘herbivorous men’
omiai お見合い arranged meeting to find a spouse
hitogara ひとがら personality
kao 顔 ‘face’
kane 金 ‘money
seizon 生存 survive financially
izon 依存 own interests
hozon 保存 preserve
teki reiki 適齢期 appropriate marriage age
ippan shoku 一般職 regular clerical positions
haken shain 派遣社員 temporary staff
manshon マンション apartment building
Words: Goldstein-Gidoni (2012)
atarimae 当たり前 natural / obvious
shokuba no hana 職場の花 ‘office flowers’
shousha 商社 trading company
hanayome shugyou 花嫁修業 bridal training
nihon no okeiko 日本のお稽古 Japanese culture
sengyou shufu 専業主婦 full-time ‘professional’ housewife
shakai benkyou 社会勉強 social studies
nonki na 呑気な carefree
ganbattereiru 頑張っている hardworking
shakai ni hairu 社会に入る enter society i.e. become an adult
arubaito アルバイト part-time work
gaman 我慢 endurance
kurou 苦労 hardships
taihen 大変 arduous work
meiwaku wo kakenai 迷惑をかけない not to cause trouble
kawaii oyomesan 可愛いお嫁さん cute young wife
kan-iri musume カン入り娘 ‘daughter-in-a-can’
hako-iri musume 箱入り娘 ‘daughter-in-a-box’