Translation guide
A large-scale, ambitious, or important undertaking. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various nouns and set phrases, often with a nuance of grandeur, historical significance, or personal ambition.
Referring to a large, challenging, or visionary project, often in business, exploration, or personal goals.
The most direct equivalent, meaning a large-scale enterprise or project. Commonly used in business and public works contexts.
このダム建設は国家の大事業だ。
This dam construction is a great national enterprise.
A common, slightly more casual term for a big project, often used in corporate or technical settings.
彼は会社の大プロジェクトを任された。
He was put in charge of the company's great enterprise.
Emphasizes the grandeur and scale of the enterprise. Often used for visionary or epic undertakings.
宇宙開発は人類の壮大な事業だ。
Space exploration is a great enterprise of humankind.
Refers to a great achievement or feat, often after completion. More about the result than the ongoing project.
エベレスト登頂は彼の偉業の一つだ。
Climbing Everest is one of his great enterprises.
Describing a grand endeavor with historical significance, like building empires, exploring new worlds, or major cultural shifts.
Literally 'great expedition', used for large-scale exploratory or military campaigns.
コロンブスの大遠征は新大陸発見につながった。
Columbus's great enterprise led to the discovery of the New World.
A literary term for a great work or achievement, often with a sense of historical importance or moral weight.
明治維新は日本の大業であった。
The Meiji Restoration was a great enterprise for Japan.
Explicitly marks the enterprise as historically significant.
万里の長城の建設は歴史的大事業だった。
The construction of the Great Wall was a great historical enterprise.
A deeply personal, often lifelong pursuit or mission that one feels destined to accomplish.
A great enterprise of one's lifetime; a life's work.
この研究は彼の生涯の大事業となった。
This research became his great enterprise in life.
Heaven's command; one's calling or mission in life. Often used in a spiritual or philosophical sense.
彼は人々を助けることを天命と感じている。
He feels that helping people is his great enterprise (calling).
The English word 'enterprise' can mean a business company, but in the phrase 'great enterprise', it refers to an undertaking. Do not use 企業 (きぎょう, company) unless you specifically mean a business entity. Use 事業 (じぎょう) or other terms above.
大事業 sounds more formal and grand, suitable for national or historical projects. 大プロジェクト is more modern and corporate, often used for business initiatives or tech projects.
大陸横断鉄道の建設は大事業だった。
Building the railway across the continent was a great enterprise.
彼女は教育改革という大事業に人生を捧げた。
She devoted her life to the great enterprise of education reform.
Loanword from English, commonly used for one's life's work or main passion project.
環境保護が彼女のライフワークだ。
Environmental protection is her great enterprise.