Japanese word

民間

Pronunciation

Romajiminkan

Meaning

  • nounprivate sector

Example

私は民間で働いています。watashi wa min kan de hatara i te i ma su

I work in the private sector.

Illustration for 民間 (private sector)

More examples

その病院は民間企業によって運営されています。so no byō in wa min kan ki gyō ni yo tte un ei sa re te i ma su

That hospital is operated by a private company.

Core concept

Describes people, organizations, or activities outside government and other public institutions.

Common phrases

  • 民間で働くmin kan de hatara ku

    work in the private sector

  • 民間企業min kan ki gyō

    private company

Similar words

民営minei: Refers to a business or service run by a private person or organization.

Definition in Japanese

政府や自治体などの公的機関に属さない個人や組織、またその活動や領域。sei fu ya ji chi tai na do no kō teki ki kan ni zoku sa na i ko jin ya so shiki ma ta so no katsu dō ya ryō iki

Word origin

民間 (minkan, "among the people") combines 民 (min, "the people") and 間 (kan, "space or interval"), expressing what exists among ordinary people rather than in official institutions.

Usage tips

  • In English, civilian usually contrasts with military, while 民間 (minkan) also commonly covers non-government businesses and organizations.

Other meanings

  • civiliannoun

Opposites

  • 公営kōeipublic operationnoun

Related words

  • 民間化minkankaprivatizationnoun

Word lists with this word