興業

こうぎょう

starting a business

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"興業" (こうぎょう) primarily refers to the act of starting or running a business, especially in the entertainment industry such as theater, film, or concerts. It is a formal term often used in business contexts related to cultural or entertainment enterprises.

Common Contexts

You will often see "興業" used when talking about companies that organize performances, manage theaters, or produce films. It can also refer more generally to the act of launching a business venture.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 興業会社 (こうぎょうがいしゃ): an entertainment or production company
  • 映画興業 (えいがこうぎょう): film business or film industry
  • 興業を始める (こうぎょうをはじめる): to start a business

Register and Nuance

This word is formal and mostly used in written or business Japanese. It is not common in casual conversation. When using "興業," the speaker implies a professional or organized business activity, often with cultural or entertainment connotations.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "興業" with "工業" (こうぎょう, industry/manufacturing). Pay attention to the kanji and context: "興業" relates to business or entertainment, while "工業" relates to industrial manufacturing.

Example Sentences

かれはえいがこうぎょうにせいこうして、おおくのえいがかんをけいえいしている。

He succeeded in the film business and manages many movie theaters.

こうぎょうがいしゃはあたらしいえんげきのきかくをはっぴょうした。

The entertainment company announced a new theater production plan.

こうぎょうのためにたがくのしきんがひつようだ。

A large amount of capital is needed to start a business.