Translation guide
The English word "venture" can be a noun meaning a risky undertaking or a verb meaning to dare to go somewhere or to express something cautiously. Japanese uses different words depending on the meaning.
Referring to a new business, project, or journey that involves risk.
General term for adventure or risky undertaking. Can be used for business ventures, but often implies a sense of adventure.
彼は新しいビジネスの冒険に乗り出した。
He embarked on a new business venture.
Loanword from English, commonly used in business contexts for startup companies or entrepreneurial ventures.
彼はITベンチャーを立ち上げた。
He launched an IT venture.
Refers to a business enterprise or project. More formal and less risky nuance than 冒険.
新事業への投資はリスクが高い。
Investing in a new venture is high risk.
Speculative venture or investment, often with a connotation of gambling.
その投機的事業は失敗した。
The speculative venture failed.
Expressing the act of going somewhere that may be dangerous or unknown.
Literally 'to go decisively', used when venturing into a place despite hesitation.
彼は思い切って洞窟の中に入った。
He ventured into the cave.
Literally 'to step into', often used for entering unfamiliar or dangerous territory.
彼は未開の地に足を踏み入れた。
He ventured into uncharted territory.
Verb form of 冒険, meaning to adventure or take a risk by going somewhere.
彼らはジャングルに冒険した。
They ventured into the jungle.
Expressing an opinion or suggestion tentatively, often used in phrases like 'venture to say' or 'venture an opinion'.
To dare to say something, often after hesitation.
思い切って言いますが、その計画は無理だと思います。
I venture to say that the plan is impossible.
A humble way to preface a suggestion, similar to 'if I may venture to say'.
差し出がましいですが、別の方法を提案してもよろしいでしょうか。
If I may venture a suggestion, could I propose another method?
Very formal and humble, used before expressing a differing opinion. 'With all due respect, I venture to say...'
The term 'venture capital' is usually translated as ベンチャーキャピタル (bencha-kyapitaru) or simply VC (ブイシー). Avoid literal translations like 冒険資本.
冒険 (bōken) has a broader sense of adventure and risk, while ベンチャー (benchā) is specifically a business startup. Use 冒険 for physical adventures or metaphorical risky endeavors, and ベンチャー for entrepreneurial ventures.
虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Proverb equivalent, literally 'If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't catch its cub.'
彼女は嵐の中へ思い切って出て行った。
She ventured out into the storm.
恐れながら、その点については同意しかねます。
I venture to disagree on that point.