jip6業业
Jyutpingjip6
Yaleyihp
Definition
Industry, profession, business, or estate.
- industry; line of business; trade
- occupation; profession; job
- property; estate; assets
neutralwork
How it's used
This character is rarely used as a standalone noun in spoken Cantonese, functioning primarily as a suffix in compound words to denote a field of work or study. It carries a formal tone that is common in professional or academic contexts. When discussing one's specific job, native speakers typically prefer using 做緊咩工 instead of referring to their 業.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 業 to mean a specific task or chore, as it refers to a broader sector or industry. Use 工 or 工作 for individual employment roles.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
