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:

この仕事は私の業です。

Kono shigoto wa watashi no gyou desu

This work is my responsibility.

This work is my job.

• この - this
• 仕事 - work
• は - is
• 私 - I
• の - of
• 業 - responsibility
• です - is

この事業は成功するでしょう。

Kono jigyou wa seikou suru deshou

This business will succeed.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 事業 - noun that means "business" or "enterprise"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "this company"
• 成功する - verb meaning "to succeed" or "to be successful"
• でしょう - particle that indicates a presumption or probability, in this case "probably"

この作業は無意味だと思います。

Kono sagyou wa muimi da to omoimasu

I think this work is meaningless.

I think this work makes no sense.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 作業 - Noun that means "work" or "task"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 無意味 - Adjective meaning "nonsense" or "useless"
• だ - auxiliary verb indicating the affirmative present form
• と - particle that indicates the direct quotation of an opinion or thought
• 思います - verb that means "to think" or "to believe" in a polite way

この事業の採算はどうですか？

Kono jigyou no saisaku wa dou desu ka?

How is this business profitable?

• この事業 - "this business"
• の - Possession particle
• 採算 - "financial viability"
• は - Topic particle
• どう - "how"
• ですか - "Is it?" (polite form of asking)

人材は企業の最も貴重な資産です。

Jinzai wa kigyou no mottomo kichou na shisan desu

Human resources are the most valuable assets of a company.

Human resources are the most valuable assets of companies.

• 人材 (jinzai) - Human resources
• は (wa) - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 企業 (kigyou) - Company
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 最も (mottomo) - More
• 貴重な (kichou na) - Valuable
• 資産 (shisan) - Active
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

今日の授業は休講です。

Kyou no jugyou wa kyuukou desu

Today's class is closed.

• 今日の - of today
• 授業 - "class"
• は - Topic particle
• 休講 - "canceled"
• です - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense

作業を始める前に計画を立てることが重要です。

Sagyō o hajimeru mae ni keikaku o tateru koto ga jūyō desu

It is important to do a plan before you start work.

It is important to plan before you start working.

• 作業 (sagyō) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 始める (hajimeru) - start
• 前に (mae ni) - before
• 計画 (keikaku) - plan
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 立てる (tateru) - make
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 重要 (jūyō) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

作業が完了しました。

Sagyō ga kanryō shimashita

The work was completed.

• 作業 (sagyō) - work, task
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 完了 (kanryō) - conclusion, finalization
• しました (shimashita) - Polite past tense of the verb "to do."

利潤は企業の生命線です。

Riritsu wa kigyou no seimeisen desu

Profit is the lifeline of the company.

• 利潤 (りじゅん) - Profit
• は - Topic particle
• 企業 (きぎょう) - company
• の - Possession particle
• 生命線 (せいめいせん) - lifeline, livelihood
• です - verb to be in the present affirmative

卒業おめでとうございます！

Sotsugyou omedetou gozaimasu!

Congratulations for the graduation!

Congratulations graduation!

• 卒業 - means "graduation" in Japanese
• おめでとうございます - It is a congratulatory or congratulatory expression in Japanese