13643
The most common translation I see of バイト I see is "part-time work". However,
the contexts I see it used in seem to refer to [casual
work](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contingent_work), as opposed to people
having a permanent job, merely with reduced hours, such as women with young
children (does this scenario not occur in Japan?).

Is "part-time work" a more accurate translation of バイト than "casual work"?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-08T09:40:30.050
13642
2016-08-21T00:04:54.043
91
question
translation
Is "part-time work" an accurate translation of バイト?
"Part-time work" is a valid translation of バイト/アルバイト but it certainly is not
the ONLY definition of the words. For instance, if a college student took a
year off from school and worked 12 hours a day, 6 days a week to save money,
that would still be called バイト/アルバイト even though he worked 72 hours a week for
a year. Point is he was not a permanent employee.

The same goes for "casual work" that you mentioned. If one is not officially
hired as a "regular employee = [正社員]{せいしゃいん}" or "contract employee =
[契約社員]{けいやくしゃいん}", one is considered バイト/アルバイト. However, we have a very common
new word that describes this type of worker, フリーター. Unlike パート/バイト/アルバイト, the
new word expresses or at least implies a laid-back lifestyle with time for
hobbies.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-08T10:55:46.597
13643
2013-12-08T10:55:46.597
13642
answer
"Casual work" would be a more accurate translation into Australian English
than "Part-time work". However, "Casual work" doesn't exist in American
English, which is what Japanese speakers learn and use. Casual work is
sometimes called "Part-time work" in American English, as can be seen in [this
answer on English Language &
Usage](https://english.stackexchange.com/a/343820/1420)
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-21T00:04:54.043
38604
2016-08-21T00:04:54.043
2017-04-13T12:38:10.367
-1
91
13642
answer