本 業(ほんぎょう)

ほんぎょう

noun

main occupation, primary business

businesswork

1. main occupation, primary business, day job

One's principal line of work or core business activity, as distinguished from side jobs, hobbies, or secondary ventures.

本業(ほんぎょう)は会社員(かいしゃいん)です。

My main job is as an office worker.

副業(ふくぎょう)が忙(いそが)しくて本業(ほんぎょう)に支障(ししょう)が出(で)ている。

My side job is so busy that it's interfering with my main work.

あの会社(かいしゃ)は本業(ほんぎょう)の製造(せいぞう)業(ぎょう)よりも不動産(ふどうさん)事業(じぎょう)のほうが利益(りえき)を上(あ)げている。

That company is making more profit from its real estate business than from its core manufacturing operations.

Usage

Contrasts with 副業(ふくぎょう) (side job) and is increasingly relevant in modern Japan as more workers take on multiple jobs. Can refer to an individual's primary occupation or a company's core business.

Common collocations

本業(ほんぎょう)に専念(せんねん)する: to focus on one's main job
本業(ほんぎょう)に支障(ししょう)が出(で)る: to interfere with one's main work
本業(ほんぎょう)のかたわら: alongside one's main job

Similar words

副業(ふくぎょう): side job, side business
生業(なりわい): livelihood, means of living (more literary)
職業(しょくぎょう): occupation, profession (general term)

Related Words

Antonym: 副業(ふくぎょう) (side job)

Compare: 生業(なりわい) (livelihood, means of living)

Compare: 職業(しょくぎょう) (occupation, profession)

Related: 兼業(けんぎょう) (side business)

Related: 副収入(ふくしゅうにゅう) (side income)

general

Added 2026.2.22 21:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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