Translation and Meaning of: 工事 - kouji

The Japanese word 工事[こうじ] is frequently found in everyday life in Japan, especially in urban and infrastructure contexts. If you've seen signs with this term on streets or construction sites, you may have wondered what it means exactly and how it is used in the Japanese language. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic meaning to curiosities about its use, helping students and curious individuals understand this common expression in Japanese vocabulary.

工事 is a compound word made up of two kanjis: 工 (work, construction) and 事 (matter, thing). Together, they form a term that refers to works, constructions, or repairs in general. Whether in large-scale projects or small domestic repairs, this expression is present in various scenarios. Let’s uncover its details, including memorization tips and practical examples of how it appears in daily life.

Meaning and use of 工事 in everyday life

The main meaning of 工事 is "work" or "construction," but its use goes beyond that. It can refer to any type of engineering work, renovation, or maintenance, from building a structure to fixing a broken pipe. If you've ever been to Japan, you've likely seen signs with phrases like 工事中 (こうじちゅう), which means "work in progress" or "construction area."

An interesting aspect is that 工事 is not limited to large projects. In Japan, it is common to see small interventions on sidewalks, roads, and even inside commercial establishments. The word appears in public notices, company communications, and even in news about infrastructure. Its frequency in daily life makes it a useful term for those who wish to communicate or better understand the Japanese urban environment.

Origin and composition of the kanjis of 工事

The etymology of 工事 directly refers to the kanjis that compose it. The first character, 工, represents "work" or "craft", while 事 means "matter" or "thing". Together, they form an idea of "matter related to construction work". This combination is not random: it reflects the way Japanese structures technical , uniting ideograms to create more specific meanings.

It is worth noting that 工事 is not an old or obsolete word. It remains widely in use, both in formal and informal language. Unlike some that have fallen out of use or changed meaning over the years, 工事 has maintained its practical application, especially in contexts of engineering and maintenance. This makes it a stable and reliable expression for those learning Japanese.

Tips for memorizing and using 工事 correctly

An effective way to memorize 工事 is to associate it with concrete situations. For example, when you see a sign for 道路工事 (どうろこうじ, "road works"), try to link the image to the term. This type of visual association helps to solidify vocabulary, especially for words closely tied to the physical environment like this one.

Another tip is to pay attention to the compounds in which 工事 appears. Expressions like 工事現場 (こうじげんば, "construction site") or 工事関係者 (こうじかんけいしゃ, "people involved in the construction") are common and enhance the understanding of the term. The more familiar you become with these contexts, the more natural the use of the word will be in your Japanese repertoire.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 建設 (Kensetsu) - Construction, building
• 建築 (Kenchiku) - Architecture, building construction
• 工程 (Koutei) - Process, work stage in construction
• 工程建設 (Koutei Kensetsu) - Construction according to the specified process
• 工事現場 (Kouji Genba) - Construction site, construction yard
• 工事中 (Kouji Chuu) - In progress, during construction
• 工事中の (Kouji Chuu no) - Under construction, related to something that is being built
• 工事中の建物 (Kouji Chuu no Tatemono) - Building under construction
• 工事中の道路 (Kouji Chuu no Douro) - Road under construction
• 工事中の建設物 (Kouji Chuu no Kensetsubutsu) - Structures under construction
• 工事現場の建物 (Kouji Genba no Tatemono) - Building at the construction site
• 工事現場の道路 (Kouji Genba no Douro) - Road at the construction site
• 工事現場の建設物 (Kouji Genba no Kensetsubutsu) - Structures at the construction site