Translation and Meaning of: 事業 - jigyou

The Japanese word 事業 [じぎょう] is an essential term for those who wish to understand the world of business, entrepreneurship, and projects in Japan. Whether for Japanese language students, professionals dealing with Japanese companies, or simply the curious, knowing its meaning, usage, and cultural context can open doors. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, how it is used in everyday life, and even some tips for memorizing it easily.

Meaning and Translation of 事業

The term 事業 [じぎょう] can be translated as "business," "enterprise," or "project." Unlike words such as 仕事 [しごと] (work) or 企業 [きぎょう] (company), 事業 has a broader meaning, encoming everything from commercial initiatives to social or government projects. It is common to see it in contexts such as "事業を始める" (to start a business) or "新規事業" (new enterprise).

It is worth noting that, although often associated with companies, 事業 is not limited to the private sector. In Japan, public agencies also use the term to refer to infrastructure initiatives or social policies. This flexibility makes the word frequently appear in news, reports, and discussions about the economy.

Origin and Composition of Kanjis

The writing of 事業 combines two kanji: 事 (じ), which means "matter" or "thing," and 業 (ぎょう), associated with "work" or "activity." Together, they form the idea of an "activity related to a specific purpose." This composition well reflects the modern use of the word, which involves planning and executing something concrete.

Interestingly, the kanji 業 has Buddhist roots, originally connected to "karma" or "actions that produce consequences." Over time, its meaning secularized, coming to represent professional activities. This duality between the spiritual and the practical is an intriguing feature of the evolution of the Japanese language.

Cultural Usage and Frequency in Japan

In Japan, 事業 is a common word in corporate and governmental environments. Companies often divide their operations into "事業部" (business divisions), and the term is key in discussions about innovation and economic growth. Its presence in headlines and annual reports demonstrates its relevance in Japanese society.

Outside of the business world, 事業 also appears in community contexts. Neighborhood revitalization projects or local initiatives are often referred to as 地域事業 [ちいきじぎょう]. This breadth makes the word useful both for those studying Japanese for business and for those interested in the social aspects of the country.

Tips for Memorizing 事業

An effective way to 事業 is to associate its kanjis with mental images. For example, 事 (matter) + 業 (work) = "work matters." Another strategy is to create flashcards with sentences like "彼は新しい事業を立ち上げた" (he started a new business), which illustrate the practical use of the word.

For those who enjoy mnemonics, thinking of "Ji-gyou" as "Ji (事) + gyou (業)", where "Ji" reminds you of "spin" (something in motion) and "gyou" sounds like "guide", can be helpful. The idea of "something that revolves around a guide" relates to the inherent planning of a 事業. This technique, based on sound associations, is ed by studies on language learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 企業 (Kigyou) - Company, an organization that works to make a profit.
• ビジネス (Bijinesu) - Negócio, atividade comercial em geral.
• プロジェクト (Purojekuto) - Project, plan or work with specific objectives.
• ビジネスプラン (Bijinesu Puran) - Business plan, a document that outlines a company's strategy.
• ビジネスアイデア (Bijinesu Aidea) - Business idea, innovative concept to start a business.
• 事業体 (Jigyoutai) - Business entity, any setup or corporation involved in commercial activities.
• 事業所 (Jigyousho) - Business location, a physical establishment where commercial activities take place.
• 事業部 (Jigyoubu) - Business division, a section of a company focused on a specific area of operations.
• 事業計画 (Jigyou Keikaku) - Business planning, the process of developing strategies for an organization.
• 事業戦略 (Jigyou Senryaku) - Business strategy, approach to achieve commercial objectives in the market.