Translation and Meaning of: 経済 - keizai
The Japanese word 経済[けいざい] is an essential term for those who study the language or are interested in Japanese culture. Its meaning goes beyond simple translation, reflecting historical and social aspects of the country. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, how it is used in everyday life, and some curiosities that help to understand its significance in the Japanese language.
Meaning and translation of 経済[けいざい]
Economics[けいざい] is often translated as "economy", but its meaning encompasses both the financial aspect and the management of resources. In Japan, it appears in contexts ranging from political discussions to everyday news. The word carries a notion of organization and management, whether on a national or personal scale.
It is worth noting that, although the term is similar to Portuguese, its use can vary. While in the West "economy" often refers only to monetary systems, in Japanese it can also suggest efficiency or rational use. This nuance is important to avoid misunderstandings in conversations or readings.
Origin and composition of kanjis
The writing of 経済 combines two kanjis: 経 (to manage, to pass through) and 済 (to resolve, to conclude). Together, they form the idea of "managing practical matters" or "governing society." This composition reflects influences from classical Chinese, where the term originally meant "to govern and assist the people."
Interestingly, the modern adoption of the economic meaning emerged during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan was seeking terms for Western concepts. Scholars adapted 経済 to translate "economy" from English, retaining the historical root while expanding its meaning. This transformation illustrates how the Japanese language absorbs and reinterprets foreign ideas.
Everyday and cultural use
In today's Japan, 経済 is a high-frequency word, appearing in newspapers, political speeches, and even in conversations about household budgets. It is central to debates on growth, inflation, or public policies. Companies use derived terms like 経済的 (economic) to highlight efficiency in products or services.
Culturally, the appreciation for careful resource management makes 経済 carry a positive connotation when associated with planning. On the other hand, in informal contexts, young people may use the word ironically to refer to personal financial constraints, showing how its meaning adapts to different generations.
Tips for memorization
An effective way to remember 経済 is to associate its kanji with concrete images. The first character, 経, appears in words like 経験 (experience) – something that "goes through" you. Meanwhile, 済 refers to conclusion, as in 済みません (sorry). Thinking of "manage until resolved" helps to solidify the concept.
Another strategy is to note that けいざい sounds similar to "that goes out," which can be a useful association for Portuguese speakers. Although there is no etymological relation, this mnemonic device has been recommended by Japanese teachers in teaching materials for beginners.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 経済学 (Keizaigaku) - Study of economics
- 財政 (Zaisei) - Public finances
- 金融 (Kin'yuu) - Financial sector, credit operations
- マネー (Manē) - Money, currency
- 財務 (Zaimu) - Financial management, corporate finance
- 財政学 (Zaiseigaku) - Study of public finance
- 財政政策 (Zaisei seisaku) - Fiscal policies
- 財政学者 (Zaiseigakusha) - Scholar or specialist in public finance
- 財政問題 (Zaisei mondai) - Financial problems or tax issues
Related words
Romaji: keizai
Kana: けいざい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: economy; business; finance.
Meaning in English: economics;business;finance;economy
Definition: A field of social sciences that deals with the activities of production by people, the allocation of resources, and the exchange of goods.
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How to Write in Japanese - (経済) keizai
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (経済) keizai:
Example Sentences - (経済) keizai
See below some example sentences:
Seisan wa keizai no kiban desu
Production is the basis of the economy.
Production is the basis of the economy.
- 生産 - Production
- は - Topic particle
- 経済 - economy
- の - Possession particle
- 基盤 - base/foundation
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Koukyou wa keizai no hatten wo imi shimasu
Prosperity means economic development.
The development of the economy has significance.
- 好況 - means "prosperity" or "good economic situation".
- は - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "good economic situation".
- 経済 - means "economy".
- の - particle indicating ownership, in this case "of the economy".
- 発展 - means "development" or "growth".
- を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "development of the economy".
- 意味します - verb meaning "means" or "has the meaning of".
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
Tsūka wa kuni no keizai ni ōkina eikyō o ataemasu
The currency has a significant impact on a country's economy.
The currency has a significant impact on the national economy.
- 通貨 - means "coin" in Japanese.
- 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
- 経済 - means "economy" in Japanese.
- 大きな - means "big" in Japanese.
- 影響 - means "impact" in Japanese.
- 与えます - means "to give" in Japanese, but in this context it can be translated as "to have" or "to exercise".
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
Bōchō shita keizai wa jizoku kanō de wa nai
An inflated economy is not sustainable.
The expanded economy is not sustainable.
- 膨脹した - The word that means "expanded" or "swollen".
- 経済 - The word that means "economy."
- は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 持続可能 - composite word that means "sustainable" or "long-term viable".
- ではない - expression that means "it's not".
Keizai no akka ga shinkokka shiteimasu
The deterioration of the economy is getting worse.
The economy is getting worse.
- 経済 (keizai) - economy
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 悪化 (akka) - worsening, deterioration
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 深刻化 (shinkokka) - aggravation, intensification
- しています (shiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "suru" (to do)
Keizai no teitai wa kokumin ni ookina eikyou wo ataeru
The stagnation of the economy has a big impact on citizens.
Economic stagnation has a significant impact on the people.
- 経済 (keizai) - economy
- の (no) - Possessive particle
- 停滞 (teitai) - stagnation
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 国民 (kokumin) - citizens of the country
- に (ni) - target particle
- 大きな (ookina) - large
- 影響 (eikyou) - influence, impact
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 与える (ataeru) - give, grant
Kōgyō wa Nihon no keizai ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu
Industry plays an important role in the economy of Japan.
Industry plays an important role in the Japanese economy.
- 工業 (kougyou) - industry
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 日本 (nihon) - Japan
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 経済 (keizai) - economy
- にとって (nitotte) - for
- 重要な (juuyouna) - important
- 役割 (yakuwari) - paper
- を果たしています (wo hatashiteimasu) - performs
Shōgyō wa keizai no jūyōna bun'ya desu
Trade is an important sector of the economy.
Commercial is an important field of economics.
- 商業 - trade
- は - Topic particle
- 経済 - economy
- の - Possession particle
- 重要な - important
- 分野 - Field, area
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
