操業

• Reading: そうぎょう
• Romaji: sougyou
• Kanji breakdown: 操 (sou) — operate, handle, control; 業 (gyou) — industry, work, operation
• Pronunciation: /soː.ɡʲoː/

Meaning

Operation; running a factory or plant. The active functioning of a production facility or industrial operation.

A term used in industrial and manufacturing contexts to describe the active operation of a factory, plant, or vessel. 操業率 (operation rate) measures how much of a facility's capacity is actually being used; 操業停止 means suspension of operations; 操業再開 means resumption of operations. Also used for fishing vessels and ships in maritime contexts.

Examples

1. 部品不足の影響で、工場は今週から操業を一時停止することになった。 Due to parts shortages, the factory will temporarily suspend operations from this week.
2. 操業率が80%を下回ると、固定費の負担が利益を圧迫し始める。 When the operating rate falls below 80%, the burden of fixed costs begins to squeeze profits.
3. 地震の被害から復旧し、工場は半年後に操業を再開した。 Having recovered from earthquake damage, the factory resumed operations six months later.

Usage Guide

Context: manufacturing, industry, factory management, shipping

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 操 (sou, operate/handle/control) and 業 (gyou, industry/work/operation). The character 操 contains 手 (hand) alongside a phonetic component, conveying skilled manual control. Together: 'the skilled running of an industrial operation.'

Cultural Context

Era: Industrial–Modern

Generation: Business professionals

Social background: Industrial