Translation and Meaning of: 企業 - kigyou

The Japanese word 企業[きぎょう] is essential for those studying the language or interested in Japan's business culture. Its meaning goes beyond the simple translation of "company" or "corporation," carrying important nuances in the Japanese social and economic context. In this article, we will explore everything from its origin and writing to the everyday usage of this expression, as well as tips for memorizing it with ease.

If you have ever wondered how the Japanese view the corporate world or how this word appears in formal and informal contexts, keep reading. Here at Suki Nihongo, our Japanese dictionary, we prioritize clear explanations and verified information, helping you master like 企業 in a practical way.

Meaning and use of 企業 in everyday Japanese.

The term 企業 is composed of the kanjis 企 (plan) and 業 (business), forming the idea of an organization that plans and executes commercial activities. Unlike 会社 (kaisha), which refers to companies in a more generic way, 企業 has a more formal and comprehensive tone, often used in economic or legal contexts.

In daily life, the Japanese use this word to refer to large corporations, such as in 大企業 (daikigyou - large companies) or 中小企業 (chuushou kigyou - small and medium enterprises). It also appears in expressions like 企業文化 (kigyou bunka - corporate culture) and 企業責任 (kigyou sekinin - corporate responsibility), highlighting its relevance in professional vocabulary.

Origin and evolution of the term 企業

The combination of the kanjis 企 and 業 emerged during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan was undergoing rapid industrialization. At that time, Western related to business were adapted into Japanese, and 企業 appeared as a way to describe profit-oriented organizations in a more sophisticated manner than 会社.

Curiously, the kanji 業 also appears in words such as 工業 (kōgyō - industry) and 商業 (shōgyō - commerce), showing its connection to economic activities. Meanwhile, 企, present in 企画 (kikaku - plan/project), reinforces the idea of strategy behind the term 企業, differentiating it from smaller or informal businesses.

Tips for memorizing and using 企業 correctly

An effective way to memorize 企業 is to associate its kanji with familiar concepts. Think of 企 as "planning" (like in 企画会議 - planning meeting) and 業 as "business" (like in 営業 - sales). Together, they create the mental image of a "company that plans business," which helps distinguish it from other similar .

To practice, try to identify 企業 in articles about economics or news related to Japan. Many portals like Nikkei or NHK frequently use this term, especially when discussing corporate policies or market trends. Observing these real contexts will solidify your understanding of when and how to use this word properly.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 会社 (Kaisha) - Company
• 商社 (Shōsha) - Commercial company, frequently trading abroad
• 企業体 (Kigyōtai) - Corporate body usually refers to a set of companies.
• 企業組織 (Kigyō soshiki) - Business organization, referring to the structure of a company
• 事業体 (Jigyōtai) - Business entity, it may include companies and other organizations
• ビジネス (Bijinesu) - Business generally refers to the act of doing business.
• 商業 (Shōgyō) - Commerce refers to commercial activities in general.
• 商業施設 (Shōgyō shisetsu) - Commercial establishments, such as shopping malls or commercial centers
• 商業地区 (Shōgyō chiku) - Commercial area, regions where commercial activities are concentrated
• 商業用地 (Shōgyō yōchi) - Commercial land, intended for the development of businesses
• 商業用建物 (Shōgyō yō tatemono) - Commercial buildings, structures for commercial activities