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.
He embarked on a new business venture.
Loanword from English, commonly used in business contexts for startup companies or entrepreneurial ventures.
He launched an IT venture.
Refers to a business enterprise or project. More formal and less risky nuance than 冒険.
Investing in a new venture is high risk.
Speculative venture or investment, often with a connotation of gambling.
The speculative venture failed.
Expressing the act of going somewhere that may be dangerous or unknown.
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.
I venture to say that the plan is impossible.
A humble way to preface a suggestion, similar to 'if I may venture to say'.
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.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Proverb equivalent, literally 'If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't catch its cub.'
She ventured out into the storm.
Literally 'to step into', often used for entering unfamiliar or dangerous territory.
He ventured into uncharted territory.
If I may venture a suggestion, could I propose another method?
I venture to disagree on that point.