寡占(かせん)

かせん
noun
oligopoly
1. oligopoly; market domination by a small number of firms
An economic condition in which a market is controlled by a small number of companies or sellers. A key concept in economics and competition law.
この業界(ぎょうかい)は寡占(かせん)状態(じょうたい)にある。
This industry is in an oligopolistic state.
大手(おおて)3社(しゃ)による寡占(かせん)が続(つづ)いている。
The oligopoly by the three major companies continues.
携帯電話(けいたいでんわ)市場(しじょう)では少数(しょうすう)のキャリアによる寡占(かせん)が形成(けいせい)され、新規参入(しんきさんにゅう)が難(むずか)しくなっている。
In the mobile phone market, an oligopoly has formed among a small number of carriers, making it difficult for new entrants.

Compound of 寡(か) ('few') and 占(せん) ('occupy; monopolize'). Literally 'occupation by few,' which neatly captures the concept of oligopoly. An important term in economics education and business news.

USAGE:
Frequently appears in economic analysis, news articles about market concentration, and competition law discussions. The term contrasts with 独占(どくせん) ('monopoly,' domination by one) and 完全競争(かんぜんきょうそう) ('perfect competition,' many sellers). Most real-world markets fall somewhere between 寡占(かせん) and 完全競争(かんぜんきょうそう).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 寡占(かせん)市場(しじょう): oligopolistic market
  • 寡占(かせん)状態(じょうたい): oligopolistic conditions
  • 寡占(かせん)体制(たいせい): oligopolistic structure
  • 寡占(かせん)が進(すす)む: oligopoly advances
  • 寡占(かせん)を崩(くず)す: to break up an oligopoly

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 独占(どくせん): monopoly — market control by a single entity; more extreme than 寡占(かせん)
  • 複占(ふくせん): duopoly — market dominated by exactly two firms; a specific case of 寡占(かせん)
  • 下線(かせん): underline — homophone with different kanji; completely unrelated
  • 河川(かせん): river — another homophone; also unrelated
general
Added 2026.4.20 18:16
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