Understanding 農業 (のうぎょう)
農業 means "agriculture" and refers to the practice of farming, including growing crops and raising livestock. It is a common noun used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing food production, rural economy, or environmental issues.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 農業 in discussions about rural life, economic challenges like aging farmers, or government policies supporting farming communities. It can also appear in compound words like 農業技術 (agricultural technology) or 農業従事者 (people engaged in agriculture).
Collocations and Patterns
- 農業を始める (to start agriculture): used when talking about beginning farming activities.
- 農業が盛ん (agriculture is thriving): describes regions or periods where farming is active and productive.
- 農業の発展 (development of agriculture): often used in economic or policy contexts.
Usage Notes
When using 農業, speakers imply a focus on the broader industry or practice rather than a single farm. It is a neutral term without strong formality but fits well in news reports, academic discussions, and everyday conversation about farming. Avoid confusing 農業 with 農家 (のうか), which means "farmhouse" or "farmer's family."