Translation guide
The English word "establishment" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: a business or organization, the act of creating something, the dominant group in society, and proving something. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
Referring to a company, shop, hotel, restaurant, or other place of business.
General term for a facility or institution, often used for public or commercial establishments.
この施設は24時間営業です。
This establishment is open 24 hours.
Common word for a shop or store. Use when the establishment is a retail or food service business.
あの店はいつも混んでいる。
That establishment is always crowded.
Refers to a business office or place of business, often used in formal or statistical contexts.
この地域には多くの事業所がある。
There are many establishments in this area.
Specifically a sales office or branch office of a company.
新しい営業所を開設しました。
We opened a new establishment.
The process of starting or founding something, such as an organization, system, or rule.
Used for the establishment of companies, organizations, or institutions.
会社の設立には多くの手続きが必要だ。
The establishment of a company requires many procedures.
Often used for founding something with a creative or pioneering spirit, like a school or a prize.
Specifically for the establishment of laws, rules, or systems.
Referring to the powerful group in society that controls things and is often resistant to change.
Literally 'ruling class', this is the most direct equivalent for the Establishment in a political or social sense.
彼は支配層に批判的だ。
He is critical of the Establishment.
Means 'established forces' or 'existing power structure', often used in political commentary.
既成勢力に対抗する新しい動きが出てきた。
A new movement has emerged to oppose the Establishment.
The act of establishing a fact, truth, or theory through evidence.
Used for proving a fact or hypothesis, especially in legal or scientific contexts.
彼の無実の立証には時間がかかった。
The establishment of his innocence took time.
Means establishing something firmly, like a theory, reputation, or method.
When referring to the dominant social group, do not use 設立 (せつりつ) or 施設 (しせつ). Those mean 'founding' and 'facility' respectively. Use 支配層 (しはいそう) or 既成勢力 (きせいせいりょく) instead.
設立 (せつりつ) is the most general for founding organizations. 創設 (そうせつ) implies a pioneering or creative founding. 制定 (せいてい) is specifically for laws, regulations, or systems.
新しい病院の設立は昨年完了した。
The establishment of the new hospital was completed last year.
彼女は銀座の高級店で働いている。
She works at a high-class establishment in Ginza.
この賞の創設は1980年にさかのぼる。
The establishment of this award dates back to 1980.
新しい法律の制定が求められている。
The establishment of a new law is being called for.
The loanword is sometimes used in intellectual or journalistic contexts, but it's not widely understood.
彼はエスタブリッシュメントの一員と見なされている。
He is regarded as a member of the Establishment.
その理論の確立には多くの実験が必要だった。
The establishment of the theory required many experiments.