Definitions

(noun) industry; business; occupation; profession
(verb) to engage in; to do (business; work)
(noun) school studies; academic work

Etymology

Simplified character from the top 5 strokes of the traditional . Depicts a person () carrying a weapon (). Based on the original meaning "attack". The meaning later shifted to "expand territory" and "develop business".

About

The modern character 业 derives from the traditional form 業, which originally depicted a large wooden frame with carved teeth for suspending musical instruments such as bells or chimes. As these elaborate sets were used in state ceremonies and by professional musicians, the meaning expanded to refer to a person's profession or occupation. Later, through Buddhist translations, it also came to represent karma, the deeds that produce future consequences. The simplified structure condenses the intricate upper part of 業 into two vertical strokes on a horizontal base, preserving the outline of the original frame but losing the distinct wood radical 木.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Spring and Autumn (~600 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的作写完了。

Tā de zuòyè xiě wánle.

His homework is finished.

发展非常重要。

Gōngyè fāzhǎn fēicháng zhòngyào.

Industrial development is very important.

我在一家大企工作。

Wǒ zài yī jiā dà qǐyè gōngzuò.

I work at a large enterprise.

我哥哥的专是法律。

Wǒ gēge de zhuānyè shì fǎlǜ.

My older brother's major is law.

她毕后开始创

Tā bìyè hòu kāishǐ chuàngyè.

She started a business after graduation.

我们必须保护这些非物质文化遗产。

Wǒmen bìxū bǎohù zhèxiē fēiwùzhì wénhuà yíchǎn.

We must protect these intangible cultural heritages.

这一行的竞争非常激烈。

Zhè yī hángyè de jìngzhēng fēicháng jīliè.

The competition in this industry is extremely fierce.

实现务的数字化转型是当务之急。

Shíxiàn yèwù de shùzì zhuǎn xíng shì dāngwùzhījí.

Achieving the digital transformation of the business is a top priority.