Translation guide
The English word 'entrepreneur' refers to a person who starts and runs a business, often taking on financial risk. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 起業家, but other terms exist depending on context, such as company founder, self-employed person, or business owner. This guide helps you choose the right expression.
To refer to someone who creates a new business, often with innovation and risk-taking.
The standard translation for 'entrepreneur'. It emphasizes starting a new business and is widely understood.
彼は成功した起業家です。
He is a successful entrepreneur.
起業家精神が経済を活性化させる。
Entrepreneurial spirit revitalizes the economy.
Loanword from English, used in business contexts, especially when emphasizing innovation or startup culture. Less common than 起業家.
シリコンバレーのアントレプレナーたちが集まった。
Entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley gathered.
Similar to 起業家, but can also refer to a person who manages or runs an existing business. Sometimes used interchangeably, but 起業家 is more specific to starting a business.
彼は優れた企業家だ。
He is an excellent entrepreneur/businessman.
To specifically refer to the person who established a company.
Means 'founder' of a company. Focuses on the act of founding rather than the entrepreneurial spirit.
彼はその会社の創業者です。
He is the founder of that company.
Also means 'founder', often used for organizations, schools, or institutions, not just companies.
To refer to someone who works for themselves, often running a small business without the high-growth connotation of 'entrepreneur'.
To refer to someone who owns a business, regardless of whether they started it.
Means 'business owner' or 'manager'. Can refer to anyone who runs a business, not necessarily the founder.
彼女はレストランの経営者です。
She is the owner of the restaurant.
Loanword 'owner', commonly used for shops, restaurants, etc. Casual and widely understood.
起業家 (entrepreneur) emphasizes starting a new business, often with innovation. 経営者 (business owner/manager) focuses on running an existing business. If you want to highlight the act of founding, use 起業家 or 創業者.
彼は起業家として成功したが、今は経営者として会社を大きくしている。
He succeeded as an entrepreneur, but now he is growing the company as a manager.
The English word 'entrepreneur' is sometimes translated as 企業家, but 起業家 is more precise for someone who starts a venture. Using 企業家 might sound like a generic 'businessperson'.
彼はその大学の創設者だ。
He is the founder of that university.
Legal term for 'sole proprietor'. Used in tax and business registration contexts.
個人事業主として開業届を出した。
I submitted a business start-up notification as a sole proprietor.
あの店のオーナーは若いね。
The owner of that shop is young, isn't he?