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A1 noun #3,575 most common 12 min read

企業

kigyō Top 3,575

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 企業 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 企業 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 企業 (kigyou) as a word for a 'big company' or 'business.' While you will mostly use 会社 (kaisha) to talk about where people work, you will see 企業 in simple news headlines or on signs. Think of it as a formal version of 'company.' You don't need to use it in every sentence, but knowing that it refers to a business organization will help you understand basic information about the Japanese economy. For an A1 learner, the most important thing is to distinguish it from words like 'gakko' (school) or 'mise' (shop). You might see it in a sentence like 'Kono kigyou wa ookii desu' (This enterprise is big). It is a noun, and it follows all the standard rules for Japanese nouns. You don't need to worry about complex grammar patterns yet; just focus on the meaning of 'a business entity.'

At the A2 level, you can start using 企業 (kigyou) in specific contexts, especially when talking about your career or the types of companies you are interested in. You will learn to use it with adjectives, such as 'yuumei na kigyou' (famous enterprise) or 'nihon no kigyou' (Japanese enterprise). At this stage, you should understand that 'kigyou' is more formal than 'kaisha.' If you are writing a self-introduction for a job application, using 'kigyou' shows a higher level of professionalism. You will also start to see compound words like 'IT kigyou' (IT company). You should be able to answer simple questions about what kind of enterprise you want to work for and understand basic descriptions of what a company does. For example, 'Watashi wa IT kigyou de hatarakitai desu' (I want to work at an IT enterprise).

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 企業 (kigyou) in a variety of professional and economic discussions. You will understand the distinction between 'kigyou' (the entity) and 'kaisha' (the workplace). You will learn common business terms like 'chuushou kigyou' (small and medium-sized enterprises) and 'dai-kigyou' (large corporations). At this level, you can describe a company's activities in more detail, such as 'Kono kigyou wa kuruma o tsukutteimasu' (This enterprise makes cars). You will also encounter 'kigyou' in the context of job hunting (shuukatsu), where terms like 'kigyou kenkyuu' (company research) become important. You should be able to read short news articles about corporate earnings or new products using this word. Your grammar should allow you to link 'kigyou' to various actions, like 'enterprise expanding' or 'enterprise hiring.'

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 企業 (kigyou) with precision in business and academic contexts. You will understand abstract concepts like 'kigyou bunka' (corporate culture) and 'kigyou rinri' (corporate ethics). You can participate in discussions about the role of enterprises in society, including topics like CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and environmental impact. You should be able to understand more complex compound words and idiomatic expressions involving 'kigyou.' For example, you might discuss 'kigyou doryoku' (corporate efforts) to reduce prices or 'kigyou gappei' (corporate mergers). At this level, you can read and summarize financial reports or business editorials that use 'kigyou' as a primary term. You should also be able to distinguish between 'kigyou' and 'houjin' (legal entity) in semi-formal discussions.

At the C1 level, 企業 (kigyou) is a word you use fluently in high-level professional environments. You understand the legal, economic, and social nuances of the term. You can discuss 'kigyou governance' (corporate governance), 'kigyou kachi' (corporate value), and 'kigyou saisei' (corporate restructuring) with ease. You are able to analyze the impact of global enterprises on local economies and use 'kigyou' in complex grammatical structures. Your vocabulary will include specialized terms like 'tabunkoku kigyou' (multinational corporation) and 'kou-kigyou' (public enterprise). You can write professional reports, give presentations on corporate strategy, and engage in debates about corporate law. At this stage, you recognize how 'kigyou' functions in formal Japanese 'Keigo' and how it appears in legal contracts and academic papers. You understand the historical evolution of the Japanese enterprise system.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 企業 (kigyou). You can nuance your speech by choosing between 'kigyou,' 'kaisha,' 'houjin,' and 'jigyousho' to convey exact legal and social meanings. You can interpret and produce complex texts such as annual reports, legal statutes regarding corporations, and high-level economic analyses. You understand the subtle cultural connotations of 'kigyou' in Japanese society, such as the 'Keiretsu' system and the historical 'Zaibatsu.' You can discuss the philosophy of the enterprise (kigyou rinen) at a deep level and how it relates to Japanese history and modern globalism. You are capable of handling any professional situation involving this word, from high-stakes negotiations to academic lecturing. Your use of 'kigyou' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker in a professional field.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

企業 in 30 Seconds

Formal term for a company or enterprise.
Used in economic, legal, and professional contexts.
Distinguished from 'kaisha' (informal/workplace) and 'mise' (shop).
Essential for business Japanese and reading news.

The Japanese word 企業 (きぎょう - kigyou) is a cornerstone of the Japanese business vocabulary. While many beginners first learn the word 会社 (かいしゃ - kaisha) for 'company,' 企業 represents a more formal, academic, and economic perspective on a business entity. It is best translated as 'enterprise,' 'corporation,' or 'business organization.' Understanding the nuance between these terms is essential for moving from basic Japanese to professional proficiency. While 'kaisha' often refers to the specific building or the group of people you work with, 'kigyou' refers to the abstract economic unit that engages in production, trade, or service provision for profit.

Economic Entity: The term 企業 is used when discussing the role of businesses in the economy at large. For example, when the government discusses tax breaks for businesses, they use 'kigyou' rather than 'kaisha'.

In daily life, you will encounter this word most frequently in news reports, financial documents, and job-hunting contexts. If you are looking for a job in Japan, you will attend a 合同企業説明会 (goudou kigyou setsumeikai)—a joint enterprise briefing session. Here, the word 'kigyou' emphasizes the professional nature of the organizations present. It suggests a level of scale and legal structure that the word 'mise' (shop) or 'kaisha' might not always imply. It is the language of the Nikkei newspaper and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

日本には多くの有名な企業があります。 (Nippon ni wa ooku no yuumei na kigyou ga arimasu.)

Historically, the word is composed of two kanji: 企 (ki), which means to plan, undertake, or design, and 業 (gyou), which refers to business, work, or industry. Together, they form the idea of a 'planned undertaking' or a 'structured business effort.' This etymology highlights why the word feels more strategic than 'kaisha.' An enterprise is something planned and executed with specific goals. When a Japanese person refers to 'kigyou doryoku' (corporate effort), they are talking about the systematic steps a business takes to improve efficiency or reduce costs.

Legal Context: In legal and regulatory frameworks, 'kigyou' is the standard term for any entity registered to perform business, regardless of its specific legal form (like Kabushiki Gaisha or Godo Gaisha).

Furthermore, 'kigyou' is often used as a prefix or suffix to categorize businesses. You will hear about 大企業 (dai-kigyou) for large corporations and 中小企業 (chuushou-kigyou) for small and medium-sized enterprises. This categorization is vital for understanding Japanese economic policy and the structure of the Japanese labor market. For English speakers, think of 'kigyou' as the word you use when you are wearing a suit, and 'kaisha' as the word you use when you are at the office water cooler.

この企業は環境保護に力を入れています。 (Kono kigyou wa kankyou hogo ni chikara o ireteimasu.)

Finally, the concept of 'kigyou' extends to the culture of the organization. 企業文化 (kigyou bunka) refers to corporate culture. This is a common topic in business journals. It encompasses the values, beliefs, and behaviors that determine how a company's employees and management interact. By using 'kigyou' instead of 'kaisha' in this context, the speaker is referring to the institutional identity of the business rather than just the social environment of the office.

Using 企業 (kigyou) correctly involves understanding its role as a formal noun. It frequently acts as the subject of sentences involving economic action, social responsibility, or legal status. Because it is a formal word, it is often paired with polite (desu/masu) or humble/honorific language in professional settings, though the word itself is neutral in terms of politeness. It is a 'kango' (Sino-Japanese word), which naturally gives it a more rigid and academic feel compared to native Japanese words.

As a Subject: Many enterprises are expanding overseas. -> 多くの企業が海外に進出しています。(Ooku no kigyou ga kaigai ni shinshutsu shiteimasu.)

When describing the type of industry a company belongs to, 'kigyou' is the standard choice. For instance, an 'IT enterprise' is IT企業 (IT kigyou), and a 'venture company' is ベンチャー企業 (bentchaa kigyou). Note how 'kigyou' seamlessly attaches to other nouns to create compound terms. This is a very common pattern in business Japanese. If you are describing a company's size, you must use 'kigyou'. You would never say 'dai-kaisha' to mean a large corporation in a formal report; you would say 'dai-kigyou'.

彼はIT企業で働いています。 (Kare wa IT kigyou de hataraiteimasu.)

In the context of job hunting, 'kigyou' is ubiquitous. Students will talk about 企業研究 (kigyou kenkyuu), which is the process of researching companies before an interview. This implies a deep dive into the company's financial health, market position, and future strategy. If a student says they are 'doing kaisha kenkyuu', it sounds slightly less professional, as if they are just looking at the office location rather than the enterprise's strategic value.

Another important usage is in the phrase 企業倫理 (kigyou rinri), meaning corporate ethics. In the modern era, where CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is highly valued, this term appears constantly in corporate reports. A sentence like 'The enterprise must follow ethics' would be 企業は倫理を守らなければなりません (Kigyou wa rinri o mamoranahereba narimasen). Using 'kigyou' here emphasizes the collective responsibility of the institution.

中小企業を支援する政策が必要です。 (Chuushou kigyou o shien suru seisaku ga hitsuyou desu.)

Lastly, consider the verb 起業する (kigyou suru). Although the first kanji is different (起 - to wake/start), the pronunciation is the same. This means 'to start a business' or 'to launch an enterprise.' While 'kigyou' (enterprise) and 'kigyou' (entrepreneurship) are different words, they are conceptually linked. If you want to say 'I want to start my own enterprise,' you use the verb form: 私は起業したいです (Watashi wa kigyou shitai desu). This highlights the dynamic nature of the word—it's not just a static entity, but an active undertaking.

If you turn on the NHK news in Japan, you will likely hear the word 企業 (kigyou) within the first ten minutes. It is the default term for news anchors when reporting on the economy, stock market fluctuations, or new government regulations. You will hear phrases like 企業業績 (kigyou gyouseki), which refers to corporate earnings. In this context, 'kigyou' is used because the news is discussing businesses as macroeconomic actors.

Financial News: 'Kigyou' is used when reporting on the 'Tankan' (Short-Term Economic Survey of Enterprises in Japan) by the Bank of Japan.

In a professional office environment, 'kigyou' is used in strategic meetings. A CEO might talk about the 企業理念 (kigyou rinen)—the corporate philosophy or mission statement. This isn't just 'the company's idea'; it's the foundational principle of the entire enterprise. When consultants come to a company, they provide 企業診断 (kigyou shindan), or a corporate diagnosis, to help improve efficiency. Hearing 'kigyou' in the workplace usually signals that the conversation has moved from daily tasks to high-level strategy.

このニュースは企業の合併について伝えています。 (Kono nyuusu wa kigyou no gappei ni tsuite tsutaeteimasu.)

Job seekers, particularly university students in their third and fourth years, live and breathe this word. They attend 企業ガイダンス (kigyou gaidansu) and look at 企業ランキング (kigyou rankingu) to see which corporations are the most popular or profitable. When they receive a job offer, it might be referred to as a 企業内定 (kigyou naitei). In the world of 'Shuukatsu' (job hunting), 'kigyou' is the standard unit of measurement for their future career prospects.

You will also see 'kigyou' on signage and in advertisements, especially those targeting B2B (business-to-business) services. A software company might advertise a 企業向けプラン (kigyou-muke puran), which is a 'plan for enterprises' (as opposed to individual consumers). In marketing, using 'kigyou' adds a layer of seriousness and reliability to the product, suggesting it is robust enough for professional corporate use.

大手企業との提携が決まりました。 (Oote kigyou to no teikei ga kimarimashita.)

Finally, in the academic world—specifically in economics or business administration departments—'kigyou' is the primary object of study. Students take classes like 企業経済学 (kigyou keizaigaku), the economics of the enterprise. Here, the word is used to strip away the personal elements of a company and look at it as a mathematical and logical entity that responds to market forces. If you are reading a textbook or a white paper, 'kigyou' is the word you will see 99% of the time.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is overusing 企業 (kigyou) in casual conversation. While it translates to 'business' or 'company,' using it to talk about your job at a local cafe or a small family-owned shop sounds very strange. For example, if you work at a small neighborhood bakery, you should say 'mise' (shop) or 'kaisha' (if it's incorporated), but never 'kigyou.' Calling a tiny local business a 'kigyou' sounds like you are describing it as a massive, faceless conglomerate, which can come off as sarcastic or simply incorrect.

Mistake: Over-formality: Saying 'Watashi no kigyou wa...' when talking to a friend about where you work. Correction: Use 'Watashi no kaisha wa...' or 'Uchi no kaisha wa...'

Another frequent error is confusing the pronunciation or kanji of 企業 (kigyou) with 授業 (jugyou), which means 'class' or 'lesson.' Both end in '-gyou,' and beginners often mix them up. For example, a student might accidentally say they are 'going to the enterprise' when they mean they are 'going to class.' To avoid this, remember that 'ki' (企) in kigyou has a long 'i' sound (kii-gyou), and the context of business versus school is usually a dead giveaway.

❌ 昨日の企業は難しかったです。 (Yesterday's enterprise was difficult - intended: 'class'.)

There is also a nuance mistake regarding the word 起業 (kigyou). As mentioned before, 'kigyou' (enterprise) and 'kigyou' (starting a business) sound identical. Learners often write the wrong kanji. If you want to say 'I started a business,' you must use 起業 (starting-business). If you use 企業, it just means the noun 'enterprise.' While they are related, they are used differently in a sentence. You 'do' (suru) 起業, but you 'work at' (de hataraku) a 企業.

English speakers also tend to use 'kigyou' when they should use ビジネス (bijinesu). While 'kigyou' refers to the organization, 'bijinesu' refers to the act of doing business or the industry as a whole. For example, if you say 'I am in the fashion enterprise,' it sounds like you are inside a specific building. If you mean 'I work in the fashion industry,' you should say 'fasshon bijinesu' or 'fasshon gyoukai'. 'Kigyou' is an entity, not an abstract field of work.

❌ 私は観光企業に興味があります。 (I am interested in the tourism enterprise - sounds like one specific company.)

Finally, be careful with plurals. In English, we say 'businesses' to mean multiple companies. In Japanese, just saying 'kigyou' can mean one or many. If you want to emphasize 'many businesses,' use 多くの企業 (ooku no kigyou) or 企業各社 (kigyou kakusha). Simply repeating the word or adding English-style plural logic won't work. Understanding that Japanese relies on context and specific counters (like -sha) will help you avoid sounding like a direct translator.

Japanese has several words that translate to 'company' or 'business,' and choosing the right one depends entirely on the context and the level of formality. The most common alternative to 企業 (kigyou) is 会社 (kaisha). While 'kigyou' is 'enterprise,' 'kaisha' is 'company.' 'Kaisha' is used in 90% of daily conversations. It feels more personal and less academic. You say 'kaisha ni iku' (go to work/the company), but you would never say 'kigyou ni iku' unless you were a visiting consultant.

企業 vs. 会社: 企業: Economic/Legal entity. Formal. Used in news and textbooks.
会社: Social/Physical entity. Neutral. Used in daily life and by employees.

Another related word is 法人 (houjin), which translates to 'juridical person' or 'legal entity.' This is an even more formal and legalistic term than 'kigyou.' You will see it on tax forms and official registrations. While all 'kigyou' are usually 'houjin,' not all 'houjin' are 'kigyou.' For example, a non-profit organization (NPO) is a 'houjin' but might not be considered a 'kigyou' because its primary goal isn't profit. If you are discussing the legal status of an organization, 'houjin' is the most accurate term.

営利企業と非営利法人の違い。 (The difference between a for-profit enterprise and a non-profit legal entity.)

For smaller-scale operations, you might use 事業所 (jigyousho) or 商店 (shouten). 'Jigyousho' refers to a place of business or an office branch. It is a technical term used in statistics and labor law. 'Shouten' specifically refers to a shop or a store. If you are talking about the local grocer, 'shouten' is appropriate, whereas 'kigyou' would be absurdly overblown. In a similar vein, 個人事業 (kojin jigyou) refers to a sole proprietorship, which is a business run by an individual rather than a large enterprise.

Finally, we have 団体 (dantai), which means 'group' or 'organization.' This is a broad term that can include businesses but also encompasses clubs, political groups, and NGOs. If the profit motive isn't the focus, 'dantai' is often used. For example, 経済団体 (keizai dantai) refers to an economic organization like a chamber of commerce. Understanding these distinctions allows you to navigate Japanese society with the correct level of precision, showing that you understand not just the word, but the institutional structures of Japan.

地域の企業が祭りを支援しています。 (Local enterprises are supporting the festival.)

In summary, while 'kigyou' is your go-to word for 'enterprise' in a professional or economic sense, always keep 'kaisha' in your back pocket for everyday talk, 'houjin' for legal matters, and 'shouten' for the shop around the corner. Mastering these synonyms will make your Japanese sound much more natural and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"貴企業の発展をお祈り申し上げます。"

Neutral

"日本には多くのIT企業があります。"

Informal

"あの企業、最近調子いいよね。"

Child friendly

"お仕事をする大きな場所のことだよ。"

Slang

"あそこはマジでブラック企業だよ。"

Fun Fact

The 'ki' (企) kanji actually depicts a person standing on tiptoe to look far ahead, symbolizing planning for the future.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kiːɡjoʊ/

US /kiːɡjoʊ/

Pitch accent: Atamadaka (Stress on the first syllable 'ki').

Rhymes With

Jugyou (Class) Kagyou (Family business) Sannyou (Calculation) Zangyou (Overtime) Shugyou (Training) Sotsugyou (Graduation) Kougyou (Industry) Nougyou (Agriculture)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it 'kigyo' with a short 'o'. It must be long 'ou'.
Confusing it with 'jugyou' (class).
Pronouncing 'gyo' as two separate syllables 'gi-yo'. It is a single glided sound.
Missing the long 'i' in 'ki'.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'kigyou' (entrepreneurship), though they are often the same.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but require practice to distinguish from 'starting business'.

Writing 4/5

Writing '企' and '業' correctly involves many strokes.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but watch the long vowels.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from 'jugyou' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

会社 (Kaisha) 仕事 (Shigoto) お金 (Okane) 働く (Hataraku) 作る (Tsukuru)

Learn Next

経営 (Management) 経済 (Economy) 市場 (Market) 投資 (Investment) 労働 (Labor)

Advanced

独占禁止法 (Antitrust law) 株式公開 (IPO) 連結決算 (Consolidated accounting) 多角化 (Diversification) 組織変革 (Organizational change)

Grammar to Know

Noun + 向けの (For/Aimed at)

企業向けのサービスです。

Noun + による (By means of / Due to)

企業による寄付が行われました。

Noun + との (With)

他企業との協力が必要です。

Noun + としての (As a)

企業としての責任があります。

Noun + 内の (Within)

企業内のルールを守ってください。

Examples by Level

これは大きな企業です。

This is a big enterprise.

Noun + desu (Standard polite form).

日本の企業は有名です。

Japanese enterprises are famous.

Possessive 'no' linking two nouns.

あの企業で働きたいです。

I want to work at that enterprise.

Particle 'de' indicating location of action.

企業はどこにありますか？

Where is the enterprise?

Question marker 'ka'.

新しい企業ができました。

A new enterprise was created.

Verb 'dekimasu' (to be made/completed).

父は企業で働いています。

My father works at an enterprise.

Present continuous form '-te imasu'.

この企業は車を作ります。

This enterprise makes cars.

Direct object particle 'o'.

企業の名前を教えてください。

Please tell me the name of the enterprise.

Request form '-te kudasai'.

私はIT企業に興味があります。

I am interested in IT enterprises.

Phrase 'kyoumi ga arimasu' (to have interest).

多くの企業がこのイベントに参加します。

Many enterprises will participate in this event.

Quantifier 'ooku no' (many).

地元の企業を応援しましょう。

Let's support local enterprises.

Volitional form '-mashou' (let's).

企業の説明会に行きました。

I went to the enterprise's briefing session.

Compound noun 'kigyou setsumeikai'.

有名な企業に入りたいです。

I want to enter (join) a famous enterprise.

Particle 'ni' with 'hairu' (to enter).

企業は利益を出さなければなりません。

Enterprises must make a profit.

Must form '-nakereba narimasen'.

この企業は100年の歴史があります。

This enterprise has a 100-year history.

Time duration + 'no' + noun.

外国の企業と取引をします。

We do business with foreign enterprises.

Particle 'to' (with).

中小企業は日本経済を支えています。

Small and medium-sized enterprises support the Japanese economy.

Subject marker 'wa' for general truths.

企業努力によって、価格が下がりました。

Due to corporate effort, prices have decreased.

Particle 'ni yotte' (due to/by).

企業の社会的責任が問われています。

The social responsibility of enterprises is being questioned.

Passive voice 'towarete imasu'.

彼はその企業でインターンをしています。

He is doing an internship at that enterprise.

Noun + 'o shiteimasu' (is doing).

企業の不祥事がニュースになりました。

A corporate scandal became news.

Noun 'fushouji' (scandal).

環境に配慮する企業が増えています。

Enterprises that consider the environment are increasing.

Relative clause 'kankyou ni hairyo suru'.

企業秘密を守ることは重要です。

It is important to protect enterprise secrets.

Nominalizer 'koto' to make a verb phrase a noun.

グローバル企業での経験を積みたいです。

I want to gain experience at a global enterprise.

Verb 'tsumu' (to stack/gain experience).

企業の合併によって、市場が変化しました。

Due to the merger of enterprises, the market has changed.

Noun 'gappei' (merger).

企業理念に共感して、入社を決めました。

I decided to join the company because I empathized with the corporate philosophy.

Verb 'kyoukan suru' (to empathize).

企業内でのコミュニケーションを改善すべきです。

We should improve communication within the enterprise.

Auxiliary '-beki desu' (should).

この企業は独自の技術を持っています。

This enterprise possesses unique technology.

Adjective 'dokuji no' (unique/original).

企業再生のために、新しいリーダーが必要です。

For corporate restructuring, a new leader is necessary.

Noun 'saisei' (regeneration/restructuring).

企業の透明性を高めることが求められています。

Increasing corporate transparency is required.

Noun 'toumeisei' (transparency).

ベンチャー企業が新しいサービスを開発しました。

A venture enterprise developed a new service.

Compound 'bentchaa kigyou'.

企業の業績が回復しつつあります。

The enterprise's performance is in the process of recovering.

Auxiliary '-tsutsu aru' (in the process of).

企業統治の強化が、投資家の信頼につながります。

Strengthening corporate governance leads to investor trust.

Noun 'kigyou tounchi' (corporate governance).

多国籍企業は、各国の法規制を遵守しなければなりません。

Multinational enterprises must comply with the legal regulations of each country.

Verb 'junshu suru' (to comply/obey).

企業文化の変革は、一朝一夕には成し遂げられません。

Transforming corporate culture cannot be accomplished overnight.

Idiom 'ichichou isseki' (overnight/short time).

企業の財務状況を厳密に分析する必要があります。

It is necessary to strictly analyze the enterprise's financial situation.

Adverb 'genmitsu ni' (strictly/precisely).

公的企業と民間企業の役割分担を再考すべきです。

We should reconsider the division of roles between public and private enterprises.

Compound 'yakuwari buntan' (division of roles).

企業の競争力を維持するためには、イノベーションが不可欠です。

Innovation is indispensable for maintaining an enterprise's competitiveness.

Adjective 'fukakesu' (indispensable).

企業買収のニュースが市場に大きな衝撃を与えました。

News of the corporate acquisition gave a big shock to the market.

Noun 'kigyou baishuu' (acquisition).

企業の持続可能性を評価する基準が導入されました。

Standards for evaluating corporate sustainability have been introduced.

Noun 'jizoku kanousei' (sustainability).

企業という概念は、近代資本主義の進展とともに変容してきた。

The concept of 'enterprise' has transformed alongside the progress of modern capitalism.

Particle 'to tomo ni' (along with).

企業の社会的存立基盤を揺るがすような不祥事は許されない。

Scandals that shake the social foundation of an enterprise's existence cannot be forgiven.

Relative clause modifying 'fushouji'.

グローバルな競争環境下において、企業の敏捷性が問われている。

Under a global competitive environment, corporate agility is being tested.

Noun 'binshoussei' (agility).

企業法務の専門家として、複雑な契約書の審査を担当する。

As an expert in corporate legal affairs, I am in charge of reviewing complex contracts.

Noun 'kigyou houmu' (corporate legal affairs).

企業の自己資本利益率を向上させることが、経営陣の至上命題である。

Improving the enterprise's return on equity (ROE) is the management team's highest priority.

Noun 'shijou meidai' (highest priority/mission).

企業の枠組みを超えたオープンイノベーションの促進が期待される。

Promotion of open innovation that transcends corporate frameworks is expected.

Verb 'koeru' (to exceed/transcend).

企業の倒産は、地域経済に深刻な連鎖反応を引き起こしかねない。

A corporate bankruptcy could potentially trigger a serious chain reaction in the local economy.

Auxiliary '-kanenai' (could potentially - negative outcome).

企業が直面するリスクは、地政学的な変動からサイバー攻撃まで多岐にわたる。

The risks faced by enterprises range widely, from geopolitical fluctuations to cyber-attacks.

Phrase 'takki ni wataru' (to range widely).

Synonyms

会社法人事業体商社メーカー

Antonyms

個人公的機関

Common Collocations

大企業

中小企業

IT企業

企業理念

企業文化

企業秘密

企業努力

企業買収

企業年金

優良企業

Common Phrases

企業説明会

— An enterprise information session for job seekers.

明日は企業説明会に参加します。

企業イメージ

— The public image or perception of a corporation.

不祥事で企業イメージが悪化した。

企業戦士

— A 'corporate warrior' (a hard-working employee, somewhat dated).

彼は昭和の企業戦士だった。

企業城下町

— A company town (a city dependent on one large enterprise).

ここはトヨタの企業城下町だ。

企業グループ

— A corporate group or conglomerate.

三菱企業グループは巨大だ。

企業市民

— Corporate citizen (a business acting as a member of society).

企業市民としての役割を果たす。

企業家精神

— Entrepreneurship (the spirit of an entrepreneur).

若者には企業家精神が必要だ。

企業会計

— Corporate accounting.

企業会計の基準が変わった。

企業広告

— Corporate advertising (promoting the brand, not just a product).

テレビで企業のイメージ広告を見る。

企業活動

— Corporate activities.

グローバルな企業活動を展開する。

Often Confused With

企業 vs 授業 (Jugyou)

Sounds similar. Jugyou means class; Kigyou means enterprise.

企業 vs 起業 (Kigyou)

Sounds identical. Kigyou (起業) means starting a business.

企業 vs 工業 (Kougyou)

Sounds similar. Kougyou specifically means the manufacturing industry.

Idioms & Expressions

"企業は人なり"

— A company is its people (meaning the success depends on employees).

「企業は人なり」という言葉を胸に刻む。

Proverbial

"寄らば大樹の陰"

— If you take shade, find a big tree (often used to describe joining a large enterprise for safety).

寄らば大樹の陰で、彼は大企業を選んだ。

Idiomatic

"看板を掲げる"

— To hang out a shingle (to start an enterprise).

ついに自分の企業として看板を掲げた。

Informal

"身を粉にする"

— To grind one's body to powder (working extremely hard for an enterprise).

企業のために身を粉にして働く。

Literary

"泥船に乗る"

— To board a mud boat (joining a failing enterprise).

あの倒産しそうな企業に入るのは、泥船に乗るようなものだ。

Idiomatic

"金の卵を産む鶏"

— The goose that lays the golden eggs (a highly profitable enterprise or product).

この企業はグループにとって金の卵を産む鶏だ。

Common

"ワンマン経営"

— One-man management (an enterprise ruled by a single person).

あの企業は社長のワンマン経営だ。

Critical

"窓際族"

— The window-seat tribe (employees sidelined by the enterprise).

大企業には窓際族も少なくない。

Slang/Dated

"渡りに船"

— A boat at a crossing (a timely offer, often between enterprises).

提携の話は、わが企業にとって渡りに船だった。

Idiomatic

"火の車"

— Fiery chariot (being in a desperate financial situation, used for enterprises).

その企業の台所事情は火の車だ。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

企業 vs 会社 (Kaisha)

Both mean 'company'.

Kaisha is the physical place and social group. Kigyou is the economic and professional entity.

私は会社に行きます (I'm going to the office). 日本の企業は強い (Japanese enterprises are strong).

企業 vs 事業 (Jigyou)

Both relate to business.

Jigyou is the project or operation itself. Kigyou is the organization running it.

新規事業を立ち上げる (Start a new business project).

企業 vs 商売 (Shoubai)

Both mean 'business'.

Shoubai is more about the act of buying and selling, often on a smaller or more personal scale.

商売が繁盛する (Business is thriving/selling well).

企業 vs 団体 (Dantai)

Both refer to groups.

Dantai is any group (club, NGO, etc.). Kigyou is specifically for-profit.

ボランティア団体 (Volunteer group).

企業 vs 事務所 (Jimusho)

Both relate to an office.

Jimusho is the physical office or a small agency (like a talent agency).

弁護士事務所 (Lawyer's office).

Sentence Patterns

[Name]は有名な企業です。

トヨタは有名な企業です。

[Type]企業で働きたいです。

IT企業で働きたいです。

多くの企業が[Action]しています。

多くの企業が海外に進出しています。

企業の[Noun]が重要です。

企業の社会的責任が重要です。

企業[Noun]を強化すべきだ。

企業統治を強化すべきだ。

企業と[Noun]の提携。

企業と大学の提携。

[Noun]は企業の存続に関わる。

不祥事は企業の存続に関わる。

企業という枠組みにおいて...

企業という枠組みにおいて、個人の役割を考える。

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news, business, and formal writing.

Common Mistakes

Using 'kigyou' for a local coffee shop. → Mise (Shop) or Kaisha (Company).
'Kigyou' sounds too formal and large-scale for a small local shop.
Confusing 'kigyou' with 'jugyou'. → Kigyou (Enterprise) / Jugyou (Class).
They sound similar but the first syllable is different. Context is key.
Writing '起業' when you mean 'enterprise'. → 企業 (Enterprise).
起業 means the act of starting a business. 企業 is the business itself.
Saying 'Watashi no kigyou' to friends. → Watashi no kaisha.
Using 'kigyou' in casual talk sounds stiff and unnatural.
Forgetting the long 'u' in 'kigyou'. → Kigyou (きぎょう).
Pronouncing it 'kigyo' can lead to misunderstandings or sounding like a beginner.

Tips

When to use it

Use 'kigyou' when you are writing an essay, a formal email, or discussing the economy. It makes you sound educated and professional.

Kanji Tip

The kanji 業 (gyou) is also found in 卒業 (graduation) and 残業 (overtime). It always relates to some kind of work or task.

Tone

In a job interview, refer to the company you are applying to as 'O-sha' (honorific) or 'ki-kigyou' (formal), but discuss the industry using 'kigyou'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'kigyou' followed by 'gappei' (merger) or 'tousan' (bankruptcy), the speaker is definitely talking about enterprises.

Compound Words

You can often just stick a noun in front of 'kigyou' to describe a type of company: 'Anime kigyou', 'Game kigyou', etc.

Level Up

Instead of saying 'Big company', say 'Dai-kigyou'. Instead of 'Small company', say 'Chuushou-kigyou'.

Corporate Japan

Understanding 'kigyou' is the first step to understanding the 'Salaryman' culture and the Japanese economic structure.

The 'Ki' Sound

Remember: 'Ki' is for 'Key'. The enterprise is the key to your career.

Newspapers

Look for 企業 in the 'Keizai' (Economy) section of a Japanese newspaper. You will see it dozens of times.

Stroke Order

The stroke order for 業 is tricky. Practice the top part carefully so it doesn't look messy.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Key' (ki) opening the 'Gear' (gyou) of a massive factory. The 'Key-Gear' is the heart of the Enterprise.

Visual Association

A tall skyscraper with a giant '企' logo on the side, representing a planned (企) business (業).

Word Web

Money Office Employees Profit Strategy Market Product Legal

Challenge

Try to find three 'Kigyou' logos in your house (e.g., Sony, Toyota, Nintendo) and say 'Kore wa Nihon no kigyou desu'.

Word Origin

Sino-Japanese (Kango). The word is composed of two characters imported from Chinese but used in this specific combination in Japan during the modernization era.

Original meaning: A planned undertaking or a structured industry.

Japonic (Sino-Japanese roots).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'Kigyou' scandals; corporate face is very important in Japan, and criticism should be handled formally.

In English, we use 'business' for everything from a lemonade stand to Apple. Japanese is more specific, using 'kigyou' primarily for the professional/corporate end of that spectrum.

Toyota (The quintessential Japanese kigyou) Sony (A global technology kigyou) SoftBank (A modern investment kigyou)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Hunting

企業研究
企業説明会
志望企業
企業選び

Financial News

企業業績
企業物価指数
企業倒産
企業買収

Academic Studies

企業論
企業家精神
企業統治
企業行動

Business Meetings

企業理念
企業戦略
企業提携
企業イメージ

Legal Documents

企業法
企業倫理
企業秘密
企業契約

Conversation Starters

"どんな企業で働きたいですか？ (What kind of enterprise do you want to work for?)"

"最近、注目している企業はありますか？ (Are there any enterprises you are paying attention to lately?)"

"あなたの国の有名な企業は何ですか？ (What are the famous enterprises in your country?)"

"大企業と中小企業、どちらがいいと思いますか？ (Which do you think is better, a large corporation or an SME?)"

"企業の社会的責任についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about corporate social responsibility?)"

Journal Prompts

将来、自分で企業を立ち上げたいですか？その理由を書いてください。 (Do you want to start your own enterprise in the future? Write the reasons.)

理想的な企業の文化とはどのようなものか説明してください。 (Describe what an ideal corporate culture is like.)

あなたが一番尊敬している企業とその理由を書いてください。 (Write about the enterprise you respect the most and why.)

企業の成長と環境保護は両立できると思いますか？ (Do you think corporate growth and environmental protection can coexist?)

最近ニュースで見た企業の不祥事について、自分の意見を書いてください。 (Write your opinion on a corporate scandal you recently saw in the news.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can refer to any size of business. However, 'dai-kigyou' (large) and 'chuushou-kigyou' (SME) are used to specify size. In casual talk, people use 'kaisha' for any size.

Yes, but only in formal contexts. If you are at a party, say 'kaisha'. If you are giving a speech at a conference, 'kigyou' or 'sha' is better.

It's a slang term for a company that exploits its workers with long hours, low pay, and harassment. It's a very common term in modern Japan.

It is a formal/neutral word. It is not honorific (keigo) by itself, but it is much more professional than 'kaisha'.

Because they are reporting on the economy and legal entities. 'Kigyou' is the precise term for an economic unit in Japanese.

The noun 'kigyou' (enterprise) cannot. However, '起業する' (kigyou suru), which sounds the same, means 'to start a business'.

There is very little difference in meaning, but 'IT kigyou' sounds more like a category in an economic report, while 'IT kaisha' sounds like where a friend works.

Use the counter 社 (sha). One company is 一社 (issha), two is 二社 (nisha), three is 三社 (sansha).

Usually no. Non-profits are called 'NPO houjin' or 'hi-eiri dantai'. 'Kigyou' implies a profit motive.

It is the 'Corporate Philosophy'. It is the core set of values that an enterprise follows. Most Japanese companies have one.