Understanding 工業 (こうぎょう)
The word 工業 refers to the manufacturing or industrial sector, encompassing activities related to producing goods, especially in factories. It is commonly used in contexts discussing economic sectors, production, and industrial development.
Common Contexts and Usage
You will often see 工業 combined with specific industries, such as 自動車工業 (automobile industry) or 電子工業 (electronics industry). It is also used when talking about industrial zones (工業地帯) or industrial products (工業製品).
Collocations and Patterns
- 自動車工業: automobile industry, used when specifying the type of manufacturing.
- 工業製品: industrial/manufactured products, referring to goods made by industry.
- 工業地帯: industrial zone, an area with many factories.
Register and Nuance
工業 is a formal term often used in business, economics, and news contexts. It is not casual and usually appears in written or formal spoken Japanese.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 工業 with 農業 (agriculture) or 商業 (commerce). Remember, 工業 specifically relates to manufacturing and industry, not farming or trade.