Translation guide
The word 'industry' can refer to a sector of the economy, hard work, or the collective companies in a field. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Referring to a branch of economic activity, such as the automotive industry or the service industry.
The most common and general term for an industry as an economic sector. Used in formal and everyday contexts.
Referring to the quality of working hard and being diligent.
Referring to all the businesses involved in a particular area, often used in news or business contexts.
産業 (さんぎょう) is the general term for an industry as an economic sector (e.g., the steel industry). 業界 (ぎょうかい) refers to the business world or trade circles, often implying the people and companies within that field. Use 産業 for broad economic categories and 業界 when talking about industry insiders or market trends.
IT産業は成長している。
The IT industry is growing.
IT業界で働きたい。
I want to work in the IT industry.
産業 never means diligence or hard work. If you want to express the quality of being industrious, use 勤勉 (きんべん) or 努力 (どりょく).
鉄鋼産業は衰退している。
The steel industry is declining.
彼女は勤勉さで知られている。
She is known for her industry.
産業界のリーダーたちが危機について話し合った。
Industry leaders met to discuss the crisis.
自動車産業は日本の重要な産業です。
The automobile industry is an important industry in Japan.
観光産業がこの地域の経済を支えている。
The tourism industry supports the economy of this region.
Refers to a specific business world or trade, often used when talking about the inner workings, trends, or people within that field.
彼は業界で有名なデザイナーだ。
He is a famous designer in the industry.
業界の動向を調べる。
Research industry trends.
Specifically refers to manufacturing or heavy industry, not service sectors.
この地域は工業が盛んだ。
This region has a thriving industry (manufacturing).
A noun or na-adjective meaning diligence or industriousness. Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼の成功は勤勉の結果だ。
His success is the result of industry.
Means effort or hard work. More common than 勤勉 in everyday speech, but broader than 'industry'.
努力が実を結んだ。
His industry bore fruit.
A formal term for diligence or assiduity, often used in written language or speeches.
精励恪勤の精神。
A spirit of industry and diligence.
Same as above, but here emphasizes the collective group of companies or people in a trade.
業界全体が反対している。
The whole industry is opposed.
A more formal term for the industrial world or business circles.
産業界のリーダーたちが会議に出席した。
Leaders of industry attended the conference.