1.
self-employment; running one's own business
Working for oneself rather than being employed by a company. Encompasses freelancers, shop owners, and independent professionals.
父は自営業をしている。
My father runs his own business.
自営業は収入が不安定になりがちだ。
Self-employment tends to bring unstable income.
会社を辞めて自営業を始めたいと思っている。
I'm thinking of quitting my company job and starting my own business.
自営業 means working for oneself rather than being employed by a company. Covers freelancers, shop owners, and independent professionals.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自営業を営む: to run one's own business
- 自営業を始める: to start one's own business
- 自営業者: self-employed person
USAGE:
On official forms (職業 occupation), 自営業 is a standard category. A self-employed person is 自営業者.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- フリーランス: freelance (loanword, often used for creative/tech work)
- 個人事業主: sole proprietor (legal/tax term)
- 会社員: company employee (the most common contrast)