工业

• Pinyin: gōng yè
• Hanzi breakdown: 工 = pictograph of a tool; 业 = simplified from 業, originally depicting a wooden rack for musical instruments — extended to mean 'occupation/industry'

Meaning

Industry; industrial sector. The economic activity concerned with manufacturing, processing, and production.

Refers to the broad sector of economic activity involving manufacturing and production. Commonly appears in compounds like 工业化 (industrialisation), 重工业 (heavy industry), 轻工业 (light industry), 工业区 (industrial zone). Used in both economic and everyday contexts.

Examples

1. 这个城市的工业发展得很快。 This city's industry has developed very quickly.
2. 中国是世界上最大的工业国家之一。 China is one of the largest industrial countries in the world.
3. 工业污染是一个严重的问题。 Industrial pollution is a serious problem.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, news, education

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 这个地区的工业很发达。(The industry in this area is very developed.)
• 现代工业离不开科技。(Modern industry cannot do without technology.)

Don't Say

• 他的工业是老师。(Don't use 工业 for a person's job — it means 'industry' as a sector. For occupation, say 他的职业是老师.)

Origin & History

Compound of 工 (work/labour) and 业 (business/profession/industry). Together they denote the profession or sector of manufacturing and production.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal