Translation guide
The concept of a family business in Japanese can be expressed in several ways, depending on whether you mean the type of enterprise, the act of running it, or the specific trade of a family.
Referring to a company or shop that is managed by family members, often passed down through generations.
The most common and natural term for a family business, especially one that has been passed down through generations. It emphasizes the family's trade or occupation.
彼は家業を継ぐために大学を中退した。
He dropped out of university to take over the family business.
この店は代々続く家業です。
This shop is a family business that has been passed down for generations.
Literally 'family-run company'. This is a more descriptive phrase, often used in business contexts to specify that a company is managed by family members.
あの会社は家族経営の会社で、社長の息子が副社長を務めている。
That company is a family-run business, and the president's son serves as vice president.
A more formal or technical term for a family-owned enterprise, often used in economic or business discussions. It emphasizes ownership by a single family or clan.
日本の中小企業の多くは同族企業である。
Many of Japan's small and medium-sized enterprises are family businesses.
Referring to the specific occupation or craft that a family traditionally engages in, not necessarily a formal business entity.
Same word as above, but here it emphasizes the family's traditional occupation or trade, such as farming, fishing, or craftsmanship.
彼の家業は農業です。
His family business is farming.
A more formal or historical term for a family occupation, often used in the context of traditional crafts or hereditary professions.
Describing the situation or activity of operating a business together as a family.
A natural way to say 'to do business as a family'. It focuses on the collaborative aspect.
私たちは家族で小さなレストランを商売しています。
We run a small restaurant as a family business.
Means 'to manage/run a family business'. It is a bit more formal and often used in written contexts.
彼らは家族経営をしていて、とても仲が良い。
They run a family business and get along very well.
家業 (かぎょう) is a noun meaning 'family business' as an entity or trade, often with a sense of tradition. 家族経営 (かぞくけいえい) is a noun or suru-verb meaning 'family management' and describes the style of running a business. Use 家業 when referring to the business itself, and 家族経営 when emphasizing the management aspect.
The literal translation '家族のビジネス' (かぞくのビジネス) is not natural in Japanese and may sound like a business that deals with families. Avoid this phrase.
That family has traditionally been swordsmiths as their family trade.