Meaning
行业 refers to a particular sector of economic activity or a specific field of work. It encompasses the idea of an industry, trade, or profession that people engage in to earn a living. The term is used broadly to categorize different types of commercial and professional activities.
Usage
This is a formal, standard term commonly used in business contexts, news media, and professional discussions. Native speakers use it when talking about career fields, market sectors, or economic categories. It frequently appears with adjectives describing the type of industry (e.g., 金融行业 financial industry, 服务行业 service industry).
Examples
- 01他在互联网行业工作了十年。.He has worked in the internet industry for ten years.
- 02各行各业都受到了疫情的影响。.All industries were affected by the pandemic.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个行业
- 种很多种行业
Common collocations
- 金融行业financial industry
- 服务行业service industry
- 各行各业all trades and professions
- 行业标准industry standard
Origin
行 in this context means 'trade' or 'line of business' (different from its more common pronunciation xíng meaning 'to go'). Combined with 业 (business/occupation), it creates a compound meaning a specific line of business or industrial sector.