Fluently
Log in
How to Say Business: Pronunciation, Definition
Learn to pronounce business, its origin, meaning and alternatives. See common phrases and examples to boost your vocabulary.
How to Pronounce Business
How to Pronounce "Business"
Sound of the First Syllable: Start with a sound like "biz". The vowel sound is similar to the one in the word "sit", not like in "bee".
Sound of the Second Syllable: The second part sounds like "nis", with a very soft and quick "i" as in "kit". Do not add an extra syllable.
Blending Together: When you say the word, join the two syllables smoothly to form "biz-nis" without a noticeable break.
Practice Steps:
Slowly say "biz - nis" to get used to the sounds.
Repeat several times until it feels natural.
Listen to native speakers and try to mimic their pace and tone.
Avoiding Common Mistakes: Do not say "biz-i-ness" with an extra syllable. Stick to the two-syllable pronunciation.
Practice with
AI tutor
Speaking practice on real-life topics: job interviews, meetings, sales, pitch calls—whatever you need
What Does Business Mean
Understanding Business
Definition: Business is the process of making, buying, or selling things or services with the goal of earning money.
Purpose: A business is often started to make a profit, which means making more money than you spend.
People Involved: Many people participate in a business, including owners, employees, and even customers who buy the products or use the services.
Activities: In a business, people plan, organize, and manage resources, such as money and skills, to provide valuable products or services.
Diversity: Businesses come in many forms, like small local shops, large companies, online stores, and service providers.
Understanding Business
Definition: Business is the process of making, buying, or selling things or services with the goal of earning money.
Purpose: A business is often started to make a profit, which means making more money than you spend.
People Involved: Many people participate in a business, including owners, employees, and even customers who buy the products or use the services.
Activities: In a business, people plan, organize, and manage resources, such as money and skills, to provide valuable products or services.
Diversity: Businesses come in many forms, like small local shops, large companies, online stores, and service providers.
The Origin of the Word Business
The Origin of the Word Business
Old English Roots: The word "business" comes from the Old English word "bisig," which means "busy" or "careful."
Growth of Meaning: Over time, people used a related term "bisigness" to talk about the state of being busy or having duties. This term was used to describe both personal activities and matters that needed attention.
Shift Toward Trade: By the 16th century, the meaning of "business" began to shift. It started to be used to refer to the work or trade that someone did, especially when it was a way to earn a living.
Modern Usage: Today, "business" usually means a company or a firm. It can also refer to the work or trade that makes money, especially involving commerce or trade practices.
Word Transformation: The transition from simply being "busy" to carrying the sense of organized work and trade shows how words can change over time as society changes.
The Origin of the Word Business
Old English Roots: The word "business" comes from the Old English word "bisig," which means "busy" or "careful."
Growth of Meaning: Over time, people used a related term "bisigness" to talk about the state of being busy or having duties. This term was used to describe both personal activities and matters that needed attention.
Shift Toward Trade: By the 16th century, the meaning of "business" began to shift. It started to be used to refer to the work or trade that someone did, especially when it was a way to earn a living.
Modern Usage: Today, "business" usually means a company or a firm. It can also refer to the work or trade that makes money, especially involving commerce or trade practices.
Word Transformation: The transition from simply being "busy" to carrying the sense of organized work and trade shows how words can change over time as society changes.
What to Say Instead Business
Enterprise
Meaning: Refers to a commercial organization or project, often one that is ambitious or innovative.
Usage: "She launched a tech enterprise that quickly gained international recognition."
Similarity: Both "enterprise" and "business" denote organized ventures involved in commercial activities, with an emphasis on initiative.
Enterprise
Meaning: Refers to a commercial organization or project, often one that is ambitious or innovative.
Usage: "She launched a tech enterprise that quickly gained international recognition."
Similarity: Both "enterprise" and "business" denote organized ventures involved in commercial activities, with an emphasis on initiative.
Company
Meaning: Denotes a legal entity or organization that provides goods or services.
Usage: "He works for a multinational company that specializes in electronics."
Similarity: "Company" is often used interchangeably with "business," representing the organizational aspect in commerce.
Company
Meaning: Denotes a legal entity or organization that provides goods or services.
Usage: "He works for a multinational company that specializes in electronics."
Similarity: "Company" is often used interchangeably with "business," representing the organizational aspect in commerce.
Firm
Meaning: Typically used to describe a business, especially in professional fields like law, accounting, or consulting.
Usage: "The law firm handled the complex litigation with expertise."
Similarity: Like "business," the term "firm" connotes a professionally organized entity engaging in commerce.
Firm
Meaning: Typically used to describe a business, especially in professional fields like law, accounting, or consulting.
Usage: "The law firm handled the complex litigation with expertise."
Similarity: Like "business," the term "firm" connotes a professionally organized entity engaging in commerce.
Corporation
Meaning: A large company recognized as a single legal entity, often with a formal structure.
Usage: "The corporation expanded its operations to several countries."
Similarity: "Corporation" represents the scale and formal organization of a business, emphasizing legal status and structure.
Corporation
Meaning: A large company recognized as a single legal entity, often with a formal structure.
Usage: "The corporation expanded its operations to several countries."
Similarity: "Corporation" represents the scale and formal organization of a business, emphasizing legal status and structure.
Establishment
Meaning: Refers to a business or organization that is well-established and recognized, sometimes with a long history.
Usage: "They dined at an establishment known for its traditional recipes and warm ambiance."
Similarity: Both terms illustrate a sense of permanence and credibility in the business world.
Establishment
Meaning: Refers to a business or organization that is well-established and recognized, sometimes with a long history.
Usage: "They dined at an establishment known for its traditional recipes and warm ambiance."
Similarity: Both terms illustrate a sense of permanence and credibility in the business world.
Venture
Meaning: Often signifies a business undertaking or startup, particularly one involving risk and innovation.
Usage: "The new venture into renewable energy is expected to yield significant returns."
Similarity: "Venture" shares the commercial ambition of "business," with an added nuance of risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit.
Venture
Meaning: Often signifies a business undertaking or startup, particularly one involving risk and innovation.
Usage: "The new venture into renewable energy is expected to yield significant returns."
Similarity: "Venture" shares the commercial ambition of "business," with an added nuance of risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit.
Common Phrases and Examples with Business
1. I started my own business last year.
Explanation: This sentence uses "business" to mean a company or enterprise that someone creates.
1. I started my own business last year.
Explanation: This sentence uses "business" to mean a company or enterprise that someone creates.
2. The business is located on Main Street.
Explanation: Here, "business" refers to a place where commercial activities take place.
2. The business is located on Main Street.
Explanation: Here, "business" refers to a place where commercial activities take place.
3. She works in the business department at her job.
Explanation: In this sentence, "business" is used to describe a part of a company that deals with commercial tasks.
3. She works in the business department at her job.
Explanation: In this sentence, "business" is used to describe a part of a company that deals with commercial tasks.
4. He makes smart decisions in business meetings.
Explanation: "Business" in this case means work or commerce, especially when talking about meetings that make work decisions.
4. He makes smart decisions in business meetings.
Explanation: "Business" in this case means work or commerce, especially when talking about meetings that make work decisions.
5. Their business is growing quickly.
Explanation: Here, "business" means the company or enterprise, and the sentence tells us that it is expanding fast.
5. Their business is growing quickly.
Explanation: Here, "business" means the company or enterprise, and the sentence tells us that it is expanding fast.
6. I enjoy reading business magazines on the weekend.
Explanation: In this sentence, "business" refers to news and information about companies and money matters.
6. I enjoy reading business magazines on the weekend.
Explanation: In this sentence, "business" refers to news and information about companies and money matters.
Get your
real English level
Make a quick 4-minute call
with our AI tutor
and get your
English score for FREE
Get your real English level
Make a quick 4-minute call with our AI tutor
and get your English score for FREE
© 2025 Fluently Inc.