事業

じぎょう

project, enterprise, business

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 事業 (じぎょう) primarily refers to a business, project, or enterprise, often implying organized economic or social activities. It is commonly used in formal or professional contexts, such as company projects, government initiatives, or entrepreneurial ventures.

Common Contexts

  1. Business ventures: Starting or managing a company or commercial activity.
  2. Projects: Organized efforts with specific goals, often funded or planned.
  3. Social or public enterprises: Activities aimed at community development or employment.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 事業を始める (じぎょうをはじめる): to start a business or project.
  • 事業を展開する (じぎょうをてんかいする): to develop or expand a business.
  • 事業計画 (じぎょうけいかく): business plan.
  • 事業成功 (じぎょうせいこう): business success.

Nuances and Tips

Using 事業 often implies a larger scale or more formal activity than just a simple job or task. It is not used for casual or small personal activities. Learners sometimes confuse 事業 with 仕事 (しごと), which means work or job; 事業 is more about the enterprise or project as a whole.

When talking about personal jobs or daily work, 仕事 is more appropriate. Use 事業 when emphasizing the scope, organization, or economic/social impact of the activity.

Example Sentences

あたらしいじぎょうをはじめるためにしきんをあつめています。

We are raising funds to start a new business.

このじぎょうはちいきのこようをふやすことをもくてきとしています。

This project aims to increase employment in the region.

かれはアイティーかんれんのじぎょうでせいこうをおさめた。

He succeeded in an IT-related enterprise.