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B1 noun #4,500 most common 9 min read

工业

gongye Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 工业 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 工业 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 工业 (gōngyè) means 'industry' or 'factories.' It is a word you might see on signs or in simple books about how things are made. You can think of it as the opposite of farming. If you see a big building with smoke coming out of it, that is part of '工业.' You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember it relates to making things like cars, clothes, and toys in big buildings. For example, 'China has much industry' would be '中国有很多工业.' It's a foundational word for understanding the modern world.

At the A2 level, you should start recognizing 工业 (gōngyè) in descriptions of cities and countries. You might use it to describe where someone works or what a city is famous for. For example, '这是一个工业城市' (This is an industrial city). You should also learn the basic compound '工业区' (industrial zone) as you might see this on a map. You are beginning to understand that 工业 is a category of work. You can use it to distinguish between 'working in a factory' (在工业界工作) and 'working on a farm' (在农业界工作), though the phrasing is still quite simple.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 工业 (gōngyè) to discuss more abstract topics like economic development and the environment. You should understand the difference between 'heavy industry' (重工业) and 'light industry' (轻工业). You can talk about the 'Industrial Revolution' (工业革命) and its impact on history. You should be able to use it as an adjective to describe 'industrial pollution' (工业污染) or 'industrial products' (工业产品). At this stage, you are moving beyond just 'factories' to understanding industry as a major sector of the economy that affects society and the planet.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 工业 (gōngyè) in professional or academic discussions. You can talk about 'industrialization' (工业化), 'industrial structure' (工业结构), and 'industrial policy' (工业政策). You should be able to distinguish 工业 from '产业' (industry/sector) and '制造业' (manufacturing) in nuanced ways. You might discuss 'Industry 4.0' (工业4.0) and how automation is changing the workforce. Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'industrial output' (工业产值) and 'industrial design' (工业设计). You can express complex opinions about the balance between industrial growth and environmental protection.

At the C1 level, 工业 (gōngyè) is a word you use with precision in macro-economic analysis. You understand its historical weight in the context of China's 'Four Modernizations.' You can read and discuss complex articles about 'industrial overcapacity' (工业产能过剩), 'industrial chain' (工业链), and 'post-industrial society' (后工业社会). You can use the word to analyze the sociological impacts of industrial shifts on local communities. Your usage is sophisticated, incorporating idioms and formal register. You are capable of debating the ethics of industrial expansion and the intricacies of global supply chains involving Chinese 工业.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 工业 (gōngyè). You can use it in philosophical discussions about the 'industrial spirit' (工业精神) or the 'industrialization of culture.' You understand the deep historical etymology of the characters and how the concept of 'industry' has evolved in Chinese thought from the late Qing dynasty to the present. You can write high-level policy papers or academic theses involving industrial theory. You are aware of the most obscure technical terms and can use 工业 in metaphors or literary contexts. The word is no longer just a label for factories, but a complex symbol of human progress, labor, and systemic organization.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

工业 in 30 Seconds

工业 (gōngyè) means industry or manufacturing, specifically the sector that uses machines to produce goods from raw materials.
It is a noun often used in phrases like 'heavy industry' (重工业) and 'industrial zone' (工业区).
In Chinese, it is strictly for manufacturing and mining, not for services like tourism or banking.
It is a key term for discussing the economy, environment, and modern history.

The Chinese term 工业 (gōngyè) is a comprehensive noun that translates to 'industry' in the context of manufacturing, production, and technical processing. Unlike the English word 'industry,' which can broadly refer to any field of business (like the 'hospitality industry'), 工业 specifically targets the sector that transforms raw materials into finished or semi-finished goods through mechanical and chemical processes. It is the backbone of modern economic development, representing the transition from manual labor to machine-based production.

The Scope of 工业: In China, 工业 is often categorized into two main branches: 重工业 (zhòng gōngyè) or heavy industry, which includes steel, chemicals, and machinery; and 轻工业 (qīng gōngyè) or light industry, which produces consumer goods like textiles, food processing, and electronics. When people use this word, they are usually discussing the economic health of a region, the environmental impact of factories, or the technological advancement of a nation's production capabilities.
Linguistic Breakdown: The character 工 (gōng) represents labor, work, or a craft, historically depicted as a carpenter's square. The character 业 (yè) refers to a profession, a line of business, or an achievement. Together, they define the professional labor of creating products at scale. It is a word that carries a sense of organized, systematic effort and structural economic power.

这个城市的工业非常发达，有很多大型工厂。 (Zhège chéngshì de gōngyè fēicháng fādá, yǒu hěnduō dàxíng gōngchǎng.)

Translation: This city's industry is very developed; there are many large factories.

You will hear this word most frequently in news broadcasts regarding GDP growth, discussions about urban planning, or history lessons regarding the 工业革命 (gōngyè gémìng) or Industrial Revolution. It is rarely used to describe services like banking or tourism, which are instead referred to as 服务业 (fúwùyè). In the modern era, 工业 is also at the center of discussions regarding 工业4.0 (gōngyè sì diǎn líng), referring to the fourth industrial revolution characterized by automation and big data.

为了保护环境，政府正在减少高污染的工业生产。 (Wèile bǎohù huánjìng, zhèngfǔ zhèngzài jiǎnshǎo gāo wūrǎn de gōngyè shēngchǎn.)

Translation: To protect the environment, the government is reducing high-pollution industrial production.

In academic and professional settings, 工业 is a neutral term, but it can take on positive connotations of progress and wealth, or negative connotations of pollution and urban decay, depending on the context. As a learner at the B1 level, you should be able to identify 工业 as the category for manufacturing and use it when describing the economy of a country or the history of modern development.

Using 工业 (gōngyè) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that can also function as an adjective (industrial) when placed before another noun. It is most commonly the subject or object of a sentence, or part of a compound noun phrase. Below are the primary patterns for utilizing this word effectively in Chinese communication.

As a General Noun (Industry): When referring to the sector as a whole, it often follows adjectives like 'developed' (发达) or 'traditional' (传统).
Example: 工业是国民经济的支柱。 (Industry is the pillar of the national economy.)
As an Adjective (Industrial): When modifying another noun, you often don't need '的' if the resulting term is a standard compound, such as 'industrial area' (工业区) or 'industrial waste' (工业废物).
Example: 我们住在工业区附近。 (We live near the industrial zone.)

随着工业化的进程，农村人口大量涌入城市。 (Suízhe gōngyèhuà de jìnchéng, nóngcūn rénkǒu dàliàng yǒngrù chéngshì.)

Translation: With the process of industrialization, the rural population is pouring into cities in large numbers.

In more advanced contexts, you will see 工业 paired with verbs like '发展' (develop), '转型' (transform), or '升级' (upgrade). These combinations are essential for discussing the modern Chinese economy. For instance, '工业转型' refers to the shift from low-end manufacturing to high-tech industry. If you are describing a product, you might say it is an '工业产品' (industrial product) to distinguish it from a handmade or agricultural one.

这种化学品仅供工业用途，严禁食用。 (Zhè zhǒng huàxuépǐn jǐn gōng gōngyè yòngtú, yánjìn shíyòng.)

Translation: This chemical is for industrial use only; consumption is strictly prohibited.

Finally, when comparing sectors, 工业 is almost always contrasted with 农业 (nóngyè - agriculture) and 服务业 (fúwùyè - service industry). In a sentence like '这个国家正从农业向工业转变' (This country is transitioning from agriculture to industry), the word acts as a marker for a specific stage of societal development.

While 工业 (gōngyè) might seem like a dry, technical term, it permeates many aspects of daily life and public discourse in China. Understanding its natural habitat helps you grasp the nuances of the Chinese socioeconomic landscape.

On the News and Financial Reports: Every month, the Chinese government releases the 'Industrial Added Value' (工业增加值) stats. You will hear newscasters discussing whether 工业 growth has slowed down or accelerated, which is a key indicator of the nation's economic health.
In Educational Settings: In history or geography class, students learn about the 'Industrial Revolution' (工业革命) and the 'Old Industrial Base' (老工业基地) in Northeast China. It is a fundamental term for understanding how the modern world was built.
In Urban Planning and Travel: If you are traveling through China, you might see signs for '工业园区' (Industrial Park) on the outskirts of major cities. These are dedicated zones where manufacturing takes place, often looking like small cities of factories.

晚间新闻报道了本季度工业产值的增长。 (Wǎnjiān xīnwén bàodàole běn jìdù gōngyè chǎnzhí de zēngzhǎng.)

Translation: The evening news reported the growth in industrial output value for this quarter.

You will also encounter the word in environmental contexts. Discussions about '工业污染' (industrial pollution) are common in social media and news as people debate air and water quality. Furthermore, in the design world, '工业设计' (industrial design) is a popular field of study, focusing on how to make manufactured products both functional and aesthetic.

他大学学的是工业设计专业。 (Tā dàxué xué de shì gōngyè shèjì zhuānyè.)

Translation: He majored in industrial design at university.

In summary, 工业 is found wherever there is talk of making things, the economy, technology, or the environment. It is a formal word but one that is essential for navigating the reality of 21st-century China.

For English speakers, the most frequent errors when using 工业 (gōngyè) stem from the broader application of the English word 'industry'. Chinese is much more specific about different types of 'industries'.

Mistake 1: Using 工业 for 'Service Industry': In English, we say 'the tourism industry.' In Chinese, you cannot say '旅游工业'. You must use 产业 (chǎnyè) or 业 (yè), such as '旅游业'. 工业 is only for manufacturing and raw material processing.
Mistake 2: Confusing 工业 with 制造业: While often interchangeable, 制造业 (zhìzàoyè) specifically means 'manufacturing.' 工业 is slightly broader, including mining and utilities (electricity, water). If you are talking specifically about making cars in a factory, 制造业 is more precise, though 工业 is acceptable.

❌ 电影工业在好莱坞很发达。
✅ 电影产业在好莱坞很发达。

Correction: Use 产业 (chǎnyè) for non-manufacturing sectors like film.

Another common error is the placement of '的'. While '工业的发展' (the development of industry) is correct, many learners over-use '的' in compound nouns. For example, '工业区' (industrial zone) is a fixed term; saying '工业的区' sounds very unnatural. Treat 工业 as a prefix for many technical terms.

不要把工业和商业混为一谈。 (Búyào bǎ gōngyè hé shāngyè hùnwéiyìtán.)

Translation: Don't confuse industry (manufacturing) with commerce (trade).

Lastly, remember that 工业 is a formal term. In very casual conversation about a specific factory, people might just say '工厂' (gōngchǎng - factory). Using 工业 in a casual chat about your uncle's small workshop might sound a bit too grandiose or 'academic'.

To truly master the concept of 'industry' in Chinese, you must understand how 工业 (gōngyè) relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Each word has a specific 'register' and 'scope'.

工业 vs. 产业 (chǎnyè): 工业: Strictly manufacturing, mining, and power. (e.g., steel industry).
产业: Any large-scale economic sector, including services and agriculture. (e.g., the IT industry, the cultural industry).
工业 vs. 制造业 (zhìzàoyè): 工业: The broad sector including raw material extraction.
制造业: Specifically the act of 'making' things in factories. You wouldn't call a coal mine '制造业', but it is part of '工业'.
工业 vs. 商业 (shāngyè): 工业: Making the goods.
商业: Selling the goods (commerce/trade).

虽然他是工业家，但他也非常支持文化产业。 (Suīrán tā shì gōngyèjiā, dàn tā yě fēicháng zhīchí wénhuà chǎnyè.)

Translation: Although he is an industrialist, he also strongly supports the cultural industry.

Another useful term is 实业 (shíyè), which refers to 'real economy' businesses like manufacturing or transport, often used in a slightly more old-fashioned or respectful way to describe a person's life work. If you want to talk about the 'tech industry' specifically, you would use 科技产业 or 高新技术产业.

In academic writing, you might see 第二产业 (dì-èr chǎnyè), which is the formal economic term for the 'secondary sector' (industry). The primary sector is agriculture, and the tertiary sector is services. Knowing these distinctions will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation software.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '业' (yè) is also used in the Buddhist term for 'Karma' (业力), implying that your industry or actions have consequences.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɪndəstri/

US /ˈɪndəstri/

Gōng-yè (First tone, Fourth tone in Mandarin Chinese).

Rhymes With

中 (zhōng) 东 (dōng) 空 (kōng) 通 (tōng) 夜 (yè) 页 (yè) 叶 (yè) 野 (yě - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yè' as 'yuè' (mixing up profession with moon/month).
Ignoring the flat first tone of 'gōng', making it sound like 'gòng' (work vs tribute).
Confusing the fourth tone of 'yè' with the third tone 'yě' (profession vs also).
Blending the two syllables too quickly without clear tonal distinction.
Mispronouncing 'gōng' as 'guāng' (work vs light).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common word, but often appears in complex economic texts.

Writing 4/5

The character '业' can be tricky to write correctly for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Simple two-syllable word with distinct tones.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize if spoken clearly, but can be lost in fast news speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

工厂工作工人制造生产

Learn Next

产业制造业商业农业经济

Advanced

工业化工业革命工业产值工业增加值工业4.0

Grammar to Know

Noun as Adjective

工业区 (Industrial zone) - No '的' needed for fixed terms.

Resultative Complements

工业化 (Industrialize) - Using '化' to turn a noun into a process/verb.

Topic-Comment Structure

这个城市，工业很发达。 (As for this city, industry is developed.)

Using '为了' for purpose

为了发展工业，政府投入了大量资金。

Contrast with '而'

他喜欢农业，而他弟弟喜欢工业。

Examples by Level

中国有很多工业。

China has a lot of industry.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object.

工业对国家很重要。

Industry is very important to the country.

Using '对...很重要' (important to...).

这是工业区。

This is an industrial zone.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

他在工业界工作。

He works in the industrial sector.

Using '界' to mean sector/circle.

我不喜欢工业污染。

I don't like industrial pollution.

Negative preference.

工业产品很便宜。

Industrial products are very cheap.

Adjective modifying a noun.

这个城市有工业吗？

Does this city have industry?

Simple 'ma' question.

工业让生活更方便。

Industry makes life more convenient.

Using '让' (to make/let).

这个城市的工业非常发达。

This city's industry is very developed.

Using '非常' and '发达'.

我们需要更多的工业工人。

We need more industrial workers.

Noun + Noun compound.

工业区离这里很远。

The industrial zone is far from here.

Using '离...很远'.

他学习工业设计。

He studies industrial design.

Simple verb-object.

这里的工业用水很贵。

Industrial water here is very expensive.

Specific use noun.

工业废气对身体不好。

Industrial waste gas is bad for the body.

Noun compound + '对...不好'.

他们住在工业城市。

They live in an industrial city.

Attributive adjective.

工业生产正在增加。

Industrial production is increasing.

Present continuous with '正在'.

工业革命改变了世界。

The Industrial Revolution changed the world.

Historical term.

重工业和轻工业都很重要。

Both heavy and light industries are important.

Using '和...都'.

工业污染是一个严重的问题。

Industrial pollution is a serious problem.

Subject-Predicate-Object.

为了发展工业，他们砍了树。

To develop industry, they cut down trees.

Using '为了' (in order to).

这种机器是工业用的。

This machine is for industrial use.

Using '...是...用的'.

工业化带来了很多机会。

Industrialization brought many opportunities.

Abstract noun ending in '化'.

这个工业区有很多外资企业。

This industrial zone has many foreign-funded enterprises.

Complex subject.

政府支持绿色工业的发展。

The government supports the development of green industry.

Adjective + Noun object.

该地区的工业产值去年增长了百分之十。

The industrial output value of the region increased by 10% last year.

Statistical reporting.

工业4.0将彻底改变制造业的面貌。

Industry 4.0 will completely change the face of manufacturing.

Future tense with '将'.

我们需要优化工业结构以实现可持续发展。

We need to optimize the industrial structure to achieve sustainable development.

Formal verb '优化'.

工业废水的处理必须符合国家标准。

The treatment of industrial wastewater must meet national standards.

Modal verb '必须'.

老工业基地面临着转型的挑战。

Old industrial bases are facing the challenge of transformation.

Verb '面临' (face).

工业设计不仅要美观，更要实用。

Industrial design must be not only beautiful but also practical.

Using '不仅...更...'.

在全球化背景下，工业竞争日益激烈。

In the context of globalization, industrial competition is becoming increasingly fierce.

Adverb '日益' (day by day).

工业酒精严禁掺入食用酒中。

Industrial alcohol is strictly forbidden to be mixed into edible wine.

Passive/Prohibitive structure.

工业化进程中的社会矛盾不容忽视。

Social contradictions in the process of industrialization cannot be ignored.

Formal phrase '不容忽视'.

该政策旨在促进工业与环境的和谐共生。

The policy aims to promote the harmonious coexistence of industry and the environment.

Using '旨在' (aimed at).

工业文明的崛起标志着人类历史的新纪元。

The rise of industrial civilization marks a new era in human history.

Formal verb '标志着'.

后工业社会对服务业的依赖程度更高。

Post-industrial societies have a higher degree of dependence on the service sector.

Comparative structure.

工业产能过剩导致了市场价格的剧烈波动。

Industrial overcapacity has led to violent fluctuations in market prices.

Cause and effect.

我们需要重新审视工业生产对生态系统的长期影响。

We need to re-examine the long-term impact of industrial production on the ecosystem.

Formal verb '重新审视'.

工业互联网正成为推动经济增长的新引擎。

The Industrial Internet is becoming a new engine for promoting economic growth.

Metaphorical use of '引擎'.

跨国公司在全球工业链中扮演着核心角色。

Multinational corporations play a core role in the global industrial chain.

Using '扮演...角色'.

工业化的异化力量使得劳动者感到疏离。

The alienating force of industrialization makes workers feel estranged.

Philosophical terminology '异化'.

探讨工业美学在现代建筑中的体现是一个有趣的课题。

Exploring the manifestation of industrial aesthetics in modern architecture is an interesting topic.

Formal academic structure.

工业精神的核心在于对效率与精准的极致追求。

The core of the industrial spirit lies in the ultimate pursuit of efficiency and precision.

Abstract concept '精神'.

从手工业到大工业的飞跃，是生产力发展的必然结果。

The leap from handicraft to large-scale industry is the inevitable result of the development of productive forces.

Marxist economic theory terms.

工业遗址的保护与再利用体现了城市的文化自觉。

The protection and reuse of industrial heritage sites reflect the city's cultural self-awareness.

Sophisticated noun phrases.

该论文深入剖析了工业政策对技术创新的驱动机制。

The paper deeply analyzes the driving mechanism of industrial policy on technological innovation.

Academic verb '剖析'.

在后现代语境下，工业不再仅仅是生产方式，更是一种符号。

In the postmodern context, industry is no longer just a mode of production, but a symbol.

Postmodern academic phrasing.

工业规模的扩张必须以资源承载力为前提。

The expansion of industrial scale must be predicated on resource carrying capacity.

Scientific/Economic constraint.

Synonyms

产业实业制造业

Antonyms

农业

Common Collocations

工业化

工业区

工业革命

重工业

轻工业

工业产值

工业污染

工业设计

工业用途

工业园区

Common Phrases

工业强国

— A country with a powerful industrial base.

我们要建设工业强国。

工业生产线

— An industrial assembly line.

新工业生产线已经投产。

工业基地

— An industrial base or hub.

东北是老工业基地。

工业酒精

— Industrial alcohol (not for drinking).

工业酒精有毒。

工业原料

— Industrial raw materials.

这些矿石是重要的工业原料。

工业废水

— Industrial wastewater.

严禁排放工业废水。

工业废气

— Industrial exhaust or gas.

工业废气需要经过处理。

工业门类

— Categories or branches of industry.

中国的工业门类非常齐全。

工业标准

— Industrial standards.

产品必须符合工业标准。

工业大国

— A major industrial nation.

中国已成为世界工业大国。

Often Confused With

工业 vs 产业

Industry in the broad sense (e.g., service industry). Use 工业 only for manufacturing.

工业 vs 制造业

Specifically manufacturing. 工业 includes mining and utilities as well.

工业 vs 商业

Commerce/Trade. 工业 is about making, 商业 is about selling.

Idioms & Expressions

"兴工动众"

— To mobilize a lot of people for a task (often industrial or construction).

为了修路，政府兴工动众。

Formal

"巧夺天工"

— Wonderful craftsmanship that excels nature (industrial art).

这件工业设计作品巧夺天工。

Literary

"安居乐业"

— Live and work in peace and contentment (includes 'industry/profession').

工业的发展让百姓安居乐业。

Common

"克勤克俭"

— Diligent and frugal (qualities valued in industry).

老一辈工业家总是克勤克俭。

Formal

"各行各业"

— All walks of life; every industry.

各行各业都在支持抗灾。

Common

"百业兴旺"

— All industries are flourishing.

城市繁荣，百业兴旺。

Literary

"精益求精"

— To keep improving (valued in industrial production).

工业生产需要精益求精的精神。

Common

"事半功倍"

— Half the work, double the result (efficiency in industry).

先进的工业设备能事半功倍。

Common

"日新月异"

— Changing with each passing day (industrial tech).

工业技术的发展日新月异。

Common

"后起之秀"

— An up-and-coming person/entity (new industrial powers).

这家工业公司是行业内的后起之秀。

Common

Easily Confused

工业 vs 工业

Both mean 'industry' in English.

工业 is strictly manufacturing/technical production. 产业 is any economic sector.

汽车工业 (Car industry) vs 旅游产业 (Tourism industry).

工业 vs 工厂

Related to production.

工厂 is the physical building. 工业 is the abstract economic sector.

他在工厂上班，他属于工业界。

工业 vs 工程

Similar sound 'gōng'.

工程 means 'engineering' or 'a project'. 工业 is 'industry'.

工业工程 (Industrial Engineering).

工业 vs 作业

Contains 'yè'.

作业 means 'homework' or 'operation/task'. 工业 is 'industry'.

他在做作业，不是在搞工业。

工业 vs 事业

Contains 'yè'.

事业 means 'career' or 'cause'. 工业 is 'industry'.

他的事业是发展工业。

Sentence Patterns

S + 有 + 工业

这里有很多工业。

S + 是 + 工业城市

上海是一个工业城市。

随着...的发展，工业...

随着科技的发展，工业变得更先进。

工业 + 带来的 + N

工业带来的污染很严重。

对...进行工业化改造

政府对老城区进行工业化改造。

工业 + 处于 + Adj + 阶段

该国的工业处于起步阶段。

以...为核心的工业体系

建立以高科技为核心的工业体系。

工业文明与...的博弈

工业文明与生态保护的博弈仍在继续。

Word Family

Nouns

工人 (worker)

工地 (construction site)

工具 (tool)

业务 (business)

职业 (profession)

Verbs

工作 (to work)

开工 (to start work)

结业 (to complete a course)

Adjectives

工业的 (industrial)

勤业的 (diligent in work)

工厂 (factory)

机器 (machine)

生产 (production)

原料 (raw material)

制造 (manufacture)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news, education, and business contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 工业 for the 'music industry'. → 音乐产业 or 音乐界
工业 is only for manufacturing. Creative or service fields use 产业.
Saying '工业的生产'. → 工业生产
In Chinese, technical compounds usually don't use '的' between the modifier and the noun.
Confusing 工业 with 商业. → Use 工业 for making, 商业 for selling.
Learners often mix these up when talking about 'business' in general.
Pronouncing '业' as 'yé' (2nd tone). → yè (4th tone)
The 4th tone is essential for the meaning 'profession/industry'.
Using 工业 for small-scale handicrafts. → 手工业
工业 usually implies large-scale, mechanized production.

Tips

The Beam and the Rack

Visualize '工' as a steel beam in a factory and '业' as a rack of finished products. This helps you remember it's about making and storing goods.

Avoid '的' in Compounds

Don't say '工业的区'. Say '工业区'. Fixed industrial terms in Chinese usually drop the '的' to form a single compound noun.

The World's Factory

Remember that China is the '世界工厂'. This connection will help you remember that 工业 is a core part of Chinese identity and news.

Learn the Trio

Always learn 工业 (Industry) alongside 农业 (Agriculture) and 服务业 (Service). They are the three pillars of economic discussion.

Revolutionary Word

If you are interested in history, focus on '工业革命'. It's a great way to see how the word fits into larger global narratives.

Green Industry

Modern Chinese often uses '绿色工业' (Green Industry). This is a great phrase to use to show you are up-to-date with current events.

Tone Mastery

Practice 'Gōng' (high flat) and 'Yè' (sharp falling). The contrast between the two tones makes the word sound very authoritative.

News Headlines

Scan Chinese business news for the characters 工业. You'll see them constantly in reports about GDP and manufacturing.

Stroke Order

Pay special attention to the stroke order of '业'. It starts with the middle vertical strokes, which is unusual for many learners.

Industry vs. Sector

Always double-check if you should use 产业 instead. If it doesn't involve a factory, 产业 is usually the safer bet.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Gōng (工) looks like an 'I' beam used in construction. Yè (业) looks like a rack holding finished products in a warehouse. Together: Construction + Warehouse = Industry.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant factory with tall smokestacks (工) and a busy office inside managing the business (业).

Word Web

Factory Pollution Machinery Economy Production Workers Development Technology

Challenge

Write three sentences about how 工业 affects the city you live in, using at least one synonym.

Word Origin

The word 工业 is a modern compound. '工' (gōng) historically referred to a craftsman or tool. '业' (yè) referred to a wooden board used for hanging bells, later evolving to mean a person's tasks or business.

Original meaning: Craftsman's profession or labor tasks.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'industrial pollution' in sensitive political contexts, as it can be a touchy subject in some regions.

In English, 'industry' is very broad (e.g., the music industry). In Chinese, 工业 is strictly manufacturing.

The Great Leap Forward (focus on steel industry) Made in China 2025 (工业政策) The Industrial Revolution (工业革命)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Economic News

工业增长
工业产值
工业增加值
工业转型

History Class

工业革命
老工业基地
工业文明
工业史

Environmental Discussion

工业污染
工业废水
工业废气
工业垃圾

Urban Planning

工业区
工业园
工业地块
工业配套

Product Specs

工业级
工业用途
工业标准
工业设计

Conversation Starters

"你觉得工业发展对环境的影响大吗？"

"你所在的城市有哪些主要的工业？"

"你对工业4.0这个概念怎么看？"

"工业革命对人类历史最重要的影响是什么？"

"你认为未来工业会完全被人工智能取代吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你见过的工业区，它给你留下了什么印象？

如果一个国家没有工业，它的经济会怎样？写出你的看法。

写一段话，对比一下农业社会和工业社会的生活差异。

想象一下未来的‘绿色工业’是什么样子的。

讨论一下工业设计在日常生活中对你的影响。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. For software, use '软件产业' (ruǎnjiàn chǎnyè) or '软件业'. 工业 is reserved for physical manufacturing and raw material extraction.

It is neutral. However, it can be positive (meaning progress and wealth) or negative (meaning pollution and noise) depending on the context of the sentence.

重工业 (Heavy industry) produces large, heavy products like steel, ships, and chemicals. 轻工业 (Light industry) produces consumer goods like food, clothes, and electronics.

It is '工业革命' (gōngyè gémìng). This is a very common term in history books.

Yes, it can function as an adjective meaning 'industrial'. For example, '工业区' (industrial zone) or '工业产值' (industrial output).

Not directly. You wouldn't say 'My job is 工业.' You would say 'I work in the industrial sector' (我在工业界工作) or 'I work in a factory' (我在工厂工作).

It is the Chinese term for 'Industry 4.0', which refers to the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies.

It means 'industrialization'—the process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods.

You can say '工业废物' (gōngyè fèiwù) or '工业垃圾' (gōngyè lājī).

Yes, many technical universities in China are called '工业大学' (University of Technology/Industrial University), such as 哈尔滨工业大学 (Harbin Institute of Technology).