Work and vocation with 業
The kanji 業 is something a person does or carries through. The meanings of words using this kanji can be categorized by the kanji’s reading:
- ギョウ usually points to work, a profession or industry, study, or an undertaking and its results.
- わざ is a deed or skill.
- ゴウ is Buddhist action whose effects return to the doer: karma.
Etymology
This kanji is a pictograph of a large board on a musical instrument rack. Over time, it’s taken meanins from a board used for writing, to learning or skill, and finally to work.
Work to Be Done
These words relate to the work itself.
作業 (Work)
作業 means work, a task, or an operation. It usually refers to practical activity carried out toward a specific result.
It combines 作 (make) with 業 (work) to show productive work.
Conan and his friends go to the theater to see a movie. There, they discover this is the last day before the theater closes.
- コナン:
- 「そっか！それで場内にロープとかが落ちてたんだね！」
- “Oh, I see! That's why there were ropes and stuff lying around the venue!”
- オーナー:
- 「スマンのう… 業者の者が上映時間ギリギリまで解体作業の準備をしとったから…」
- “Sorry about that... The contractor's crew was rushing to get the dismantling ready right up until showtime...”
- スタッフ:
- 「まったく… 明日まで待ってくれればいいものを…」
- “Honestly... They could've at least waited until tomorrow...”
Occupations
This set ranges from one person’s livelihood to an economic sector.
業者 (Contractor)
業者 means a business, contractor, supplier, or dealer. The best English term depends on the service or trade involved.
It combines 業 (trades) with 者 (person) to show a person or company engaged in a trade.
Example 1 of 2: Giving up catching a cat with 匙を投げる
Eve takes the job of catching a cat that ran away from its owner. Following a successful mid-air catch off the roof and into a tree, Eve returns the cat to its owner.
- お城ちゃん:
- 「よかったぁ うちの仔すばしっこすぎて業者さんに匙投げられて…」
- “Thank goodness! Our little one was so quick that the hired help gave up on us...”
- 「ありがとう 魔女さん」
- “Thank you, Miss Mage.”
Example 2 of 2: Demolishing the movie theater with 解体
Conan and his friends go to the theater to see a movie. There, they discover this is the last day before the theater closes.
- コナン:
- 「そっか！それで場内にロープとかが落ちてたんだね！」
- “Oh, I see! That's why there were ropes and stuff lying around the venue!”
- オーナー:
- 「スマンのう… 業者の者が上映時間ギリギリまで解体作業の準備をしとったから…」
- “Sorry about that... The contractor's crew was rushing to get the dismantling ready right up until showtime...”
- スタッフ:
- 「まったく… 明日まで待ってくれればいいものを…」
- “Honestly... They could've at least waited until tomorrow...”
Study
This cluster preserves the “study” sense of the kanji.
授業 (Lesson)
授業 is a lesson or class taught at school.
It combines 授 (teach / impart) with 業 (work) to show the work of teaching.
Mina wants to hurry and eat her lunch, as she’s very hungry. Yukari reminders her they still have one more class first.
- ミナ:
- 「もう限界だよ！こんなんじゃ次の授業、集中できないよー。」
- “I'm already at my limit! As things are, come next class I won't be able to concentrate.”
卒業 (Graduation)
卒業 means graduation. Figuratively, it can mean leaving behind a phase, habit, or role.
It combines 卒 (finish) with 業 (study or work) to show finishing one's course of work.
Aya has mostly given up hope of attracting Shuko’s interest away from their teacher, Mr. Tanaka. Tanaka, having no interest in pursuing a relationship with a student, pushes for Aya to keep trying before the situation changes.
- 田中:
- 「呑気にしてるとあっという間に卒業だぞ」
- “If you act carelessly, it'll be graduation before you know it.”
Buddhist Action and Consequence
These words use the ゴウ reading, and refer to karmic actions and their consequences.
自業自得 (Getting what one deserves)
自業自得 describes suffering the results of one’s own actions.
It combines 自業 (one's own deeds) with 自得 (one's own reward) to show reaping what one sows.
Rinko tells Saijou how she first met Takeo through her encounter with a groper on the train. It was Takeo who came to her rescue.
- 凛子:
- 「その後 そのチカンにうちの自業自得だみたいなこと言われて」
- “After that, the groper essentially told me it was my own fault.”
- 西城:
- 「なに そのチカン さいあく！！」
- “What?! That groper is the worst!”