繁栄

はんえい

prospering, prosperity, flourishing

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Understanding 繁栄 (はんえい)

The word 繁栄 refers to prosperity, flourishing, or thriving conditions, often used in contexts related to economies, businesses, cultures, or societies. It conveys a positive state of growth and success.

Usage and Nuance

When you use 繁栄, you imply a sustained or notable success, not just a temporary improvement. It is often used in formal or written contexts, such as news reports, business discussions, or academic texts.

Common Collocations

  • 経済の繁栄 (けいざいのはんえい): economic prosperity
  • 企業の繁栄 (きぎょうのはんえい): corporate prosperity
  • 文化の繁栄 (ぶんかのはんえい): cultural flourishing

These collocations highlight the typical areas where 繁栄 is applied.

Register and Formality

繁栄 is a formal noun and is rarely used in casual conversation. It is more common in written language or formal speeches.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 繁栄 with 成功 (success) or 発展 (development). 繁栄 emphasizes thriving and flourishing over time, while 成功 focuses on achieving goals, and 発展 highlights growth or expansion. Choose 繁栄 when you want to stress ongoing prosperity.

Example Sentences

このまちはけいざいのはんえいによっておおくのひとびとがあつまっています。

This town attracts many people due to its economic prosperity.

きぎょうのはんえいはしゃいんぜんいんのどりょくのけっかです。

The prosperity of the company is the result of the efforts of all employees.

ぶんかのはんえいはしゃかいのあんていとみっせつにかんけいしています。

The flourishing of culture is closely related to social stability.