自営

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: It is read じえい. 自 contributes oneself and 営 operating a business, forming a word for running a business independently.
• Basic usage: It is used for running one's own shop or starting self-employment. In the example, the speaker's father operates a small shop near the station.
  • 父は駅前で小さな店を自営している。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Independent operation versus staff size
  • 自営 means operating one's own business, not necessarily doing every task alone without employees.