Readings: ギョウ, ゴウ (Onyomi), わざ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Business, vocation, work, industry, act, deed, karma
The kanji 業 depicts an ancient form of a structure with a musical instrument (possibly a bell or drum) hanging from it, implying “performance” or “action.” Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass “work,” “business,” “vocation,” “industry,” and “deeds” or “karma.”
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 業 has 13 strokes. It begins with two short horizontal strokes at the top, followed by a vertical stroke. Then, the central structure is drawn, including the two downward strokes. The bottom part, resembling the “tree” radical (木), is drawn last, completing the kanji.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 業 (ぎょう) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 13 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ギョウ (gyō)
- ゴウ (gō)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- わざ (waza)
Common Words Using 業
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 産業 | さんぎょう | industry |
| 授業 | じゅぎょう | class, lesson |
| 卒業 | そつぎょう | graduation |
| 事業 | じぎょう | enterprise, undertaking |
| 営業 | えいぎょう | business, sales |
| 残業 | ざんぎょう | overtime work |
| 商業 | しょうぎょう | commerce, trade |
| 学業 | がくぎょう | studies, scholarship |
| 職業 | しょくぎょう | occupation, profession |
| 業績 | ぎょうせき | achievement, performance |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 業 | わざ | act, deed, skill |
| 仕業 | しわざ | one’s doing, deed, act |
| 神業 | かみわざ | divine work, miraculous feat |
| 早業 | はやわざ | quick feat, quick work |
| 手業 | てわざ | manual work, craft |
| 荒業 | あらわざ | daring feat, violent act |
| 離れ業 | はなれわざ | feat, stunt |
| 大業 | たいわざ | great work, great feat (less common than たいぎょう) |
| 悪業 | あしわざ | evil deed (less common than あくごう) |
| 業物 | わざもの | fine sword, masterpiece (specific term) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は新しい事業を始めた。
Kana: かれはあたらしいじぎょうをはじめた。
Romaji: Kare wa atarashii jigyō o hajimeta.
English: He started a new business.
Japanese: 今日の授業は楽しかった。
Kana: きょうのじゅぎょうはたのしかった。
Romaji: Kyō no jugyō wa tanoshikatta.
English: Today’s class was fun.
Japanese: 来年、大学を卒業します。
Kana: らいねん、だいがくをそつぎょうします。
Romaji: Rainen, daigaku o sotsugyō shimasu.
English: I will graduate from university next year.
Japanese: この製品は商業的に成功した。
Kana: このせいひんはしょうぎょうてきにせいこうした。
Romaji: Kono seihin wa shōgyō-teki ni seikō shita.
English: This product was a commercial success.
Japanese: 彼は残業で疲れている。
Kana: かれはざんぎょうでつかれている。
Romaji: Kare wa zangyō de tsukarete iru.
English: He is tired from overtime work.
Japanese: 彼は職業として教師を選んだ。
Kana: かれはしょくぎょうとしてきょうしをえらんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa shokugyō to shite kyōshi o eranda.
English: He chose teaching as his profession.
Japanese: 会社の業績が上がった。
Kana: かいしゃのぎょうせきがあがった。
Romaji: Kaisha no gyōseki ga agatta.
English: The company’s performance improved.
Japanese: その産業は急速に成長している。
Kana: そのさんぎょうはきゅうそくにせいちょうしている。
Romaji: Sono sangyō wa kyūsoku ni seichō shite iru.
English: That industry is growing rapidly.
Japanese: 彼の仕業だ。
Kana: かれのしわざだ。
Romaji: Kare no shiwaza da.
English: It’s his doing.
Japanese: 彼女は神業のようなピアノを演奏した。
Kana: かのじょはかみわざのようなぴあのをえんそうした。
Romaji: Kanojo wa kamiwaza no yō na piano o ensō shita.
English: She played the piano like a divine feat.
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