How to say "monopoly" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 独占どくせんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe default word for economic monopoly — one firm or party monopolizing a market, resource, or industry. Also covers monopolization and exclusivity in general; this is usually the word you want.
- 専売せんばいsuru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers monopoly in the sense of exclusive sales rights: a government or company holding the sole right to sell or manufacture a particular product, as in a state monopoly on a commodity.
- 専有せんゆうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbMeans exclusive possession or sole ownership of a concrete thing, space, or facility. Its 'monopoly' gloss is marginal; for monopolizing a market or business, 独占 is the natural choice instead.
- 専業せんぎょうnounChiefly means a principal or specialized occupation — doing one line of work to the exclusion of others. Its 'monopoly' sense is marginal, so it is seldom the word you want for a market monopoly.
Use 独占 for controlling a market, 専売 for exclusive sales rights, 専有 for exclusive possession of a thing or place, and 専業 mainly for a principal or specialized occupation rather than monopoly.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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