What is the initial meaning of company
Generally, Company is firm right? But there is another meaning like partner.
So is there any connected between two concepts in English? like it is developed.
Chinese translate it that is called 公司. I dont know what is the meaning actually from ancent words
but I think it is like the concept of company so call it 公司. Perhaps the meaning is master something in public.
Cause 司 has the mening of mastering something. Chinese did not have the system before so it should be translated from something like the system.
Now I am wondering that the concept of company in English, Is it developed from company/partner to company/firm? How do I know the process of development?
And how is situation in others countries?
What is the initial meaning of company in your language?

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Answer

Yes, the basic meaning of the word "company" is simply a group of persons--as little as two.

"Please keep me company," please stay with me while I do something. The musical "Company" by Stephen Sondheim asks the question of why people get married--is it just "for company?"

In the old days, small firms might start out with a name like "J. Loxton Grinstead, Grocer." Then Grinstead's sons might join and it would be "J. Loxton Grinstead & Sons." Then they would hire other people and it would become "J. Loxton Grinstead & Company," or "The Grinstead Company." One could imagine moving on to "Grinstead Ltd." or "GIPSYS (Grinco International Provision Systems Ltd.)"

In the theatre, the "company" is the full set of people that put on a play, including the "cast" of performers and the technicians, business managers, etc.

In business, a "company" simply means a group of people operating as a business. Most other terms have specific legal and technical meanings that vary from country to country. In the United States a "corporation" has a specific legal structure.

The official name of Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, is still "The Boeing Company," preserving what is now a somewhat old-fashioned name.

Answer

"Business" is the general word for a commercial enterprise..
A "company" is a kind of business.
A "firm" is a also a kind of business, but different to a company.

A company is a separate legal entity, is owned by shareholders, managed by directors and usually has limited liability.  It is the most common business model for a large commercial business like a factory.

A "firm" consists of partners.  The partners own the firm collectively and share the profits.  There are no shareholders.  Traditionally, partnerships cannot limit their liability though more recently a new kind of partnership - a limited liability partnership - has become popular.  A firm is the most common business model for professionals such as lawyers and accountants.

Answer

From the Latin "cum" meaning "with" or "together" and "pan-" meaning "bread." The original idea was people sharing a meal together.