Translation guide
A major project, enterprise, or endeavor, often ambitious and requiring significant effort.
Referring to a large-scale, important project or venture, often with a sense of challenge or significance.
The most direct and common translation for a large-scale project or enterprise, often used in business or public works contexts.
Emphasizing the importance or difficulty of a task, often with a sense of duty or purpose.
A 'serious mission' or 'important duty', suitable for formal or official contexts.
これは我々にとって重大な任務だ。
This is a great undertaking for us.
大事業 (daijigyō) is more formal and often used for public or national projects, while 大プロジェクト (dai purojekuto) is common in business and technology. 大事業 can sound grandiose in casual settings.
Directly translating 'great undertaking' as 偉大な事業 (idai na jigyō) is possible but can sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Stick to the options above for natural Japanese.
This dam construction is a great national undertaking.
A 'big project', commonly used in business or technology contexts. More casual than 大事業.
この大プロジェクトを成功させるために、全力を尽くします。
We will do our utmost to make this great undertaking a success.
Literally 'big enterprise', a more descriptive phrase that can be used in various contexts.
彼は大きな事業を始めた。
He embarked on a great undertaking.
A grand or heroic undertaking, often with a sense of admiration. More literary.
その探検は歴史的な壮挙だった。
That expedition was a historic great undertaking.
A 'big job' or 'major task', more casual and often used in everyday speech.
家の改装は大仕事だった。
Renovating the house was a great undertaking.
Can mean 'important matter' or 'serious affair', but is very broad. Use with caution as it often just means 'important'.
Often used as an adjective meaning 'important' rather than a noun for 'undertaking'. Context is key.
これは国家の大事だ。
This is a matter of great national importance.