現場

• Reading: げんば
• Romaji: genba
• Kanji breakdown: 現 (gen) — present, actual; 場 (ba) — place, scene
• Pronunciation: /ɡe.m.ba/

Meaning

Actual spot; scene; site; field. The place where something happens or work is done.

A versatile noun used for crime scenes (犯罪現場), construction sites (工事現場), and workplaces in general. In business, 現場 refers to the front lines where actual work happens, as opposed to management. The expression 現場の声 (genba no koe, voices from the field) is common in Japanese corporate culture.

Examples

1. 事故の現場にはまだ警察がいた。 The police were still at the scene of the accident.
2. 工事現場の近くは通行止めになっている。 The area near the construction site is closed to traffic.
3. 現場の意見を経営に反映させるべきだ。 We should reflect the opinions from the field in our management.

Usage Guide

Context: work, crime, construction

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 現 (present, actual) and 場 (place, scene). Literally 'the actual place,' emphasizing physical presence at the location where events unfold.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal