Meaning
company; corporation; firm; business
Nuance & Usage
会社 specifically refers to a company or corporation (particularly a private business entity). It is commonly used in everyday speech: 会社に行く (go to work/the office), 会社員 (kaishain — company employee/office worker). Note that 会社 is more specific than simply "workplace" — 職場 (shokuba) means workplace in general, which could include schools, hospitals, etc. The compound 会社員 is one of the most common job descriptions in Japan.
Common Mistakes
Don't confuse 会社 (a company/corporation) with 会社員 (a company employee). Also, while English uses "go to work," Japanese speakers say 会社に行く (go to the company) rather than using 仕事 here. Another error: 会社 does not mean "office" — the word for office is オフィス or 事務所 (jimusho).
Example Sentences
毎朝九時に会社に行きます。
まいあさくじにかいしゃにいきます。
I go to the office every morning at nine.
あなたの会社はどこにありますか？
あなたのかいしゃはどこにありますか？
Where is your company located?
父は大きな会社で働いています。
ちちはおおきなかいしゃではたらいています。
My father works at a large company.
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