Translation and Meaning of: 業 - gou

The Japanese word 業[ごう] carries deep meanings and cultural connections that go beyond its literal translation. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in the daily life of Japan. Whether you are learning Japanese or simply curious about the language, understanding 業[ごう] can open doors to a better understanding of Japanese expressions and philosophies. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to provide accurate and useful information for students and enthusiasts.

Meaning and origin of 業[ごう]

業[ごう] is a term that comes from Buddhism and refers to the concept of "karma" or "actions that generate consequences." In modern Japanese, it retains this idea of cause and effect, but it can also be used in broader contexts, such as profession (職業) or work (業務). The kanji writing, 業, is composed of elements that refer to "work" and "accumulated actions," reinforcing its original meaning.

Although it is an ancient word, 業[ごう] still frequently appears in everyday expressions and formal texts. Its pronunciation, "gou", is simple, but its meaning varies depending on the context. For example, in phrases like "自業自得" (jigou jitoku), which means "you reap what you sow", the idea of karma becomes evident.

Cultural and philosophical use

In Japan, 業[ごう] is not just a common vocabulary word, but a concept rooted in the collective mindset. Many proverbs and popular expressions use this idea to convey moral teachings. Buddhist philosophy, in particular, has strongly influenced the way Japanese people view actions and their consequences throughout life.

Additionally, the word appears in discussions about ethics and personal responsibility. In animes and dramas, for example, characters often talk about "業が深い" (gou ga fukai), which can be translated as "having heavy karma." This usage reinforces how the term is present even in pop culture.

Tips for memorizing and using 業[ごう]

An effective way to fix 業[ごう] is to associate it with the kanji 業, which also appears in words like 授業 (class) and 工業 (industry). Noticing these patterns helps to expand vocabulary. Another tip is to create simple sentences, such as "自分の業は自分で背負う" (carry your own karma), to practice using it in real contexts.

It's worth noting that, although 業[ごう] has a serious tone in many cases, it is not a rare or difficult word. Understanding its nuances allows you to use it in both everyday conversations and more formal texts. If you are studying Japanese, try jotting down usage examples to review later.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 仕事 (shigoto) - Work, job.
• 事業 (jigyō) - Enterprise, business.
• 職業 (shokugyō) - Profession, occupation.
• 産業 (sangyō) - Industry, economic sector.
• 経営 (keiei) - Management, business administration.
• 企業 (kigyō) - Company, corporation.
• 作業 (sagyō) - Production work, task.
• 手業 (tewaza) - Manual skill, dexterity.
• 能業 (nōgyō) - Profession that requires specific skills or talent.
• 修業 (shugyō) - Training in a profession or art, dedicated learning.
• 習業 (shūgyō) - Apartment of skills, academic learning.
• 芸業 (geigyō) - Arts industry, artistic performance.
• 営業 (eigyō) - Sale, commercial operation.
• 商業 (shōgyō) - Trade, commercial activity.
• 工業 (kōgyō) - Indústria manufatureira.
• 農業 (nōgyō) - Agriculture, agricultural activity.
• 林業 (ringyō) - Forest industry, forest management.
• 漁業 (gyogyō) - Fishing, fishing activity.
• 鉱業 (kōgyō) - Mining industry.
• 建設業 (kensetsugyō) - Construction industry.
• 不動産業 (fudōsan-gyō) - Real estate, business related to properties.
• 金融業 (kin'yūgyō) - Financial sector, financial services.
• 保険業 (hoken-gyō) - Insurance sector.
• 運輸業 (un'yūgyō) - Transport, transportation industry.
• 通信業 (tsūshingyō) - Communications, telecommunications sector.
• サービス業 (sābisu-gyō) - Service industry.
• 教育業 (kyōikugyō) - Education, educational sector.
• 医療業 (iryōgyō) - Health, healthcare sector.
• 福祉業 (fukushigyō) - Social services, social assistance.

業

Romaji: gou
Kana: ごう
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: Buddhist karma; actions committed in a previous life

Meaning in English: Buddhist karma;actions committed in a former life

Definition: To do the job.

Example Sentences - (業) gou

See below some example sentences:

産業は国の発展に欠かせないものです。

Sangyō wa kuni no hatten ni kakasenai mono desu

Industry is essential for the development of the country.

Industry is indispensable for the development of the country.

• 産業 (さんぎょう) - Industry
• 国 (くに) - Country
• 発展 (はってん) - Development
• 欠かせない (かかせない) - INDISPENSABLE
• もの (もの) - Thing
• です (です) - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

復旧作業が完了しました。

Fukkyū sagyō ga kanryō shimashita

The recovery operation has completed.

The recovery job has been completed.

• 復旧作業 - restoration work
• が - subject particle
• 完了 - conclusion, finalization
• しました - past form of the verb "suru" (to do)

運搬は重要な作業です。

Unpan wa juuyou na sagyou desu

Transport is an important task.

• 運搬 (unpan) - transportation, loading
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 作業 (sagyou) - work, operation
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

金融業界は常に変化しています。

Kin'yū gyōkai wa tsuneni henka shite imasu

The financial industry is constantly changing.

• 金融業界 - financial sector
• は - Topic particle
• 常に - always
• 変化しています - it's changing

鉄鋼は現代社会において重要な産業です。

Tetsukou wa gendai shakai ni oite juuyou na sangyou desu

The steel industry is important in modern society.

Steel is an important industry in modern society.

• 鉄鋼 - steel
• は - Topic particle
• 現代社会 - Modern society
• において - in
• 重要な - important
• 産業 - industry
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

鉱業は地球環境に影響を与える重要な産業です。

Kougyou wa chikyuu kankyou ni eikyou wo ataeru juuyou na sangyou desu

Mining is an important industry that affects the environment of the earth.

Mining is an important industry that affects the global environment.

• 鉱業 - mining industry
• は - Topic particle
• 地球環境 - Earth's environment
• に - target particle
• 影響を与える - make an impact
• 重要な - important
• 産業 - industry
• です - Verb to be/estar

運輸業は国の経済にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Un'yu gyō wa kuni no keizai ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

The transport industry plays an important role in the national economy.

The transport industry plays an important role in the national economy.

• 運輸業 - Transportation industry
• は - Topic particle
• 国 - country
• の - Possession particle
• 経済 - economy
• にとって - for
• 重要な - important
• 役割 - paper
• を果たしています - performs

運送業者に荷物を預けました。

Unsō gyōsha ni nimotsu o azukemashita

I left my luggage with the carrier.

I left my luggage with the carrier.

• 運送業者 - carrier
• に - Particle indicating the recipient of the action
• 荷物 - luggage, cargo
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 預けました - deposited, delivered

製造業は日本の経済にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Seizōgyō wa Nihon no keizai ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

The manufacturing industry plays an important role in the economy of Japan.

The manufacturing industry plays an important role in the Japanese economy.

• 製造業 - Manufacturing industry
• は - Topic particle
• 日本の - From Japan
• 経済にとって - For the economy
• 重要な - Important
• 役割を果たしています - Plays a role

製鉄は日本の重要な産業の一つです。

Seitetsu wa Nihon no juuyou na sangyou no hitotsu desu

Steel production is one of Japan's important industries.

Siderúrgica is one of the important industries in Japan.

• 製鉄 (せいてつ) - siderurgia
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 (にほん) - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な (じゅうような) - important
• 産業 (さんぎょう) - industry
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ (ひとつ) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - Verb "to be"