実業家

• Reading: じつぎょうか
• Romaji: jitsugyouka
• Kanji breakdown: 実 (jitsu) — real, actual; 業 (gyou) — industry, business; 家 (ka) — specialist, house
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.tsɯ.gjo.ɯ.ka/

Meaning

Businessperson; entrepreneur; captain of industry. Someone who runs or owns a business enterprise.

A compound noun: 実業 (jitsugyou, industry/business) + 家 (ka, specialist/professional). Carries a tone of respect and accomplishment — implies someone who has built or leads a substantial business. Often used for entrepreneurs and industrial magnates. Distinguished from サラリーマン (salaryman/employee) or 経営者 (keieisha, manager) by its emphasis on self-made enterprise.

Examples

1. 彼は若くして成功した実業家として知られている。 He is known as a successful entrepreneur who made it big at a young age.
2. 祖父は戦後に小さな工場から始めた実業家だった。 My grandfather was a businessman who started with a small factory after the war.
3. 有名な実業家が大学で講演を行い、学生たちを刺激した。 A famous entrepreneur gave a lecture at the university, inspiring the students.

Usage Guide

Context: business, biography, news

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 実 (jitsu, real/actual) + 業 (gyou, industry/business) + 家 (ka, specialist/house). Literally 'a person of real business' — someone engaged in actual enterprise.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal