1.
other company; another company; competitor
A company other than one's own. Used in business contexts to refer to rival companies, partner companies, or simply any other company.
他社の製品と比較した。
I compared it with other companies' products.
他社に先駆けて新商品を発売した。
We released the new product ahead of our competitors.
他社との差別化を図るために、サービスの質を向上させた。
We improved service quality in order to differentiate ourselves from other companies.
USAGE:
A compound of 他 (other) + 社 (company). A standard business term used to refer to any company other than one's own. Does not necessarily imply competition — can also refer to partner companies or companies in unrelated industries.
NOTE ON HOMOPHONES:
Not to be confused with 他者 (another person, the other), which uses a different second kanji.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 他社製品 (other companies' products)
- 他社との比較 (comparison with other companies)
- 他社に負けない (not to lose to competitors)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 競合他社: competing company — specifically a rival
- 自社: one's own company — the opposite