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业 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
surname YeHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
line of businessHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
industryHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
occupationHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
jobHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
employmentHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
school studiesHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
enterpriseHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
propertyHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
(Buddhism) karmaHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
deedHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
to engage inHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
alreadyHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
business, profession; to study, to workHSK 6, n, 5 strokes, radical 一, rank #4300, Hard
(Ye4) T4
  1. 1line of business
  2. 2industry
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(業)(Ye4)

The character 业 (yè) primarily refers to a person's line of business or occupation. It can also denote industries, enterprises, or jobs, and is often used in a professional context. Additionally, in Buddhism, it signifies karma or deeds, linking one's actions to the consequences they face.

Strokes5RadicalFrequency#4300DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 业 is significant in the context of education and career development, reflecting the importance placed on one's profession and contributions to society. Many Chinese sayings emphasize the virtue of hard work and the pursuit of one's career.

Memory Tip

Think of 业 (yè) as a person engaged in various jobs, represented by the two horizontal strokes at the top as their work tools, and the vertical stroke symbolizing the foundation of their career. Imagine a 'Yeti' (sounds like 'yè') working in a busy industry, which helps you remember both the pronunciation and the meaning related to occupation.

Meanings of 业

(Ye4)
1line of business
2industry
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 业

Simplified
Traditional
5Strokes
Radical
后接成分suffix-forming morpheme (suff.)Part of Speech
#4300Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6BCT

Podcast: 业

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 业

Quick Contrast

行业 (hángyè) refers specifically to an industry or sector, while 业 (yè) encompasses a broader meaning related to one's occupation or business.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 业 (yè) as a person engaged in various jobs, represented by the two horizontal strokes at the top as their work tools, and the vertical stroke symbolizing the foundation of their career. Imagine a 'Yeti' (sounds like 'yè') working in a busy industry, which helps you remember both the pronunciation and the meaning related to occupation.

Usage Notes

When using 业, be careful not to confuse it with similar characters like 职业 (zhí yè), which specifically means 'profession.' It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as job applications or industry discussions. Always pronounce it with the fourth tone to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

While 业 is not explicitly listed in the HSK levels, it connects to other characters related to work, such as 工 (gōng - work) and 职 (zhí - duty). Students should focus on using 业 in context to describe jobs or businesses they are familiar with, enhancing vocabulary in professional discussions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 业 is significant in the context of education and career development, reflecting the importance placed on one's profession and contributions to society. Many Chinese sayings emphasize the virtue of hard work and the pursuit of one's career.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 业 with similar characters, leading to incorrect usage like saying '我做业' (wǒ zuò yè) when they mean '我工作' (wǒ gōngzuò - I work). Ensure to use 业 for discussing occupations or industries specifically.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 业

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Etymology of 业

Explanation

Simplified form of 業. Origin unclear.

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Decomposition of 业

IDS Structure⿱?一
Full Character
=
yi1
top
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 业?

Write 业

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 业

业 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你先吃饭,再做作____。

First eat, then do homework.

Common Confusions with 业

vs

Similar shape but different meaning and pronunciation

vs

Same pinyin but different meaning

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "line of business"?

or

Example Sentences for 业 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她知道有关我的学业、医院工作等所有的一切。

tā zhī dào yǒu guān wǒ de xué yè、 、 yī yuàn gōng zuò děng suǒ yǒu de yī。

She knew all about my schoolwork, my hospital work etc.
2
我毕业后可以不费吹灰之力地找到任何工作。

wǒ bì yè hòu kě yǐ bù fèi chuī huī zhī lì dì zhǎo dào rèn hé gōng zuò。

When I left school, I could walk into any job.
3
我们正在成为时装业的领军者之一。

wǒ mén zhèng zài chéng wéi shí zhuāng yè de lǐng jūn zhě zhī yī。

We are becoming one of the market leaders in the fashion industry.
4
英国的亚裔年轻人通常被吸引到医学、法律及工程专业。

yīng guó de yà yì nián qīng rén tōng cháng bèi xī yǐn dào yī xué、 、 fǎ lǜ jí gōng chéng zhuān。

Traditionally young Asians in Britain have gravitated towards medicine, law and engineering.
5
我的私人生活不得不让位于事业。

wǒ de sī rén shēng huó bù dé bù ràng wèi yú shì yè。

My personal life has had to take second place to my career.
6
你应该为了自己寻求专业人士的帮助。

nǐ yīng gāi wéi le zì jǐ xún qiú zhuān yè rén shì de bāng zhù。

You owe it to yourself to get some professional help.
7
你可能得了职业性皮肤病。

nǐ kě néng dé le zhí yè xìng pí fū bìng。

You might be having an occupationally related skin problem.
8
你可以转行从事影视戏剧业。

nǐ kě yǐ zhuǎn háng cóng shì yǐng shì xì jù yè。

You can move up to work in films and the theatre.
9
上为期一周的专业课,提高你的写作技能。

shàng wéi qī yī zhōu de zhuān yè kè, , tí gāo nǐ de xiě zuò jì。

Polish up your writing skills on a one-week professional course.
10
事业上的发展可能会引发你很多的思考。

shì yè shàng de fā zhǎn kě néng huì yǐn fā nǐ hěn duō de sī kǎo。

Developments in your career may give you food for thought.

Cultural Notes for 业

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, the concept of '业' not only refers to one's occupation but is also linked to one's social status and contribution to society. Different industries can reflect a person’s values and lifestyle.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 业 is significant in the context of education and career development, reflecting the importance placed on one's profession and contributions to society. Many Chinese sayings emphasize the virtue of hard work and the pursuit of one's career.

📜Proverb

有志者事竟成 (yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng) - Where there’s a will, there’s a way. This proverb emphasizes the importance of diligence in one's industry or career.

Word Family of 业

Compounds11
xian3prominent
shan4good (virtuous)
xu1emptiness
hu2pot
xu1false; worthless, hollow, empty; vain
zhuo2thick (grass)
Ye4a place in Henan province
cong2bush, shrub; thicket; collection
Words Containing This Character20
企业qǐyècompany企業
职业zhíyèoccupation職業
专业zhuānyèspecialty專業
事业shìyèundertaking事業
毕业bìyègraduation畢業
行业hángyèindustry行業
业务yèwùbusiness業務
商业shāngyèbusiness商業
作业zuòyèhomework作業
产业chǎnyèindustry產業
工业gōngyèindustry工業
job
农业nóngyèagriculture農業
失业shīyèunemployment失業
业余yèyúin one's spare time業餘
就业jiùyèto get a job就業
业绩yèjìachievement業績
营业yíngyèto trade營業
毕业生bìyèshēnggraduate畢業生
业主owner業主
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 显 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 业

Common phrases that include 业 are '专业领域' (zhuānyè lǐngyù), meaning 'professional field,' and '行业发展' (hángyè fāzhǎn), which means 'industry development.' These phrases highlight the usage of 业 in both professional and academic contexts.