Translation guide
The act of taking exclusive control or possession of something, often in business or social contexts.
To describe a company or entity dominating a market, excluding competitors.
To express that someone or something takes up all of a resource, leaving none for others.
The verb form of 独占. Used for monopolizing not just markets, but also attention, time, or a person.
彼は先生の注意を独占した。
He monopolized the teacher's attention.
To describe someone who talks so much that others cannot speak.
Literally 'monopolize the conversation'. Natural way to say someone dominates the talking.
彼はいつも会議で話を独占する。
He always monopolizes the conversation in meetings.
独占 (どくせん) is the general term for monopolization in both economic and everyday contexts. 独り占め (ひとりじめ) is more colloquial and often implies selfishly keeping something for oneself, like toys or a person's attention. 独占 can be used neutrally, while 独り占め often carries a negative nuance.
市場を独占する
monopolize the market
お菓子を独り占めする
keep all the snacks to oneself
独占 is not used for physically occupying a space. For that, use 占領 (せんりょう) for military occupation or 占有 (せんゆう) for legal possession. 独占 is about control, not physical presence.
The standard term for monopolization in economic contexts. Can be used as a noun or with する to form a verb.
その会社は市場を独占している。
That company monopolizes the market.
Refers to the process of becoming a monopoly. Often used in discussions about industry consolidation.
業界の独占化が進んでいる。
The monopolization of the industry is progressing.
Oligopoly, where a few companies dominate. Not exactly monopolization, but related. Technical term.
この市場は寡占状態だ。
This market is in a state of oligopoly.
That child wants to monopolize his mother.
More colloquial than 独占する. Implies keeping something all to oneself, often selfishly.
彼はおもちゃを独り占めした。
He monopolized the toys (kept them all to himself).
Legal or formal term for exclusive possession. Can be used for occupying space or property.
彼は広い土地を占有している。
He occupies a large piece of land (exclusively).
Means 'to keep talking by oneself'. Describes the action without the economic metaphor.
彼女は一人でしゃべり続けて、誰も口を挟めなかった。
She kept talking by herself, and no one could get a word in.
take over a room
take over a room