Translation guide
The English word 'boycott' refers to refusing to buy, use, or participate in something as a protest or to force change. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ボイコット, a loanword used for organized boycotts. For everyday refusal to buy or use something, 不買 (ふばい) is used in formal contexts, while verbs like 拒否する (きょひする) or 避ける (さける) can express the idea more generally.
Refusing to buy, use, or participate in something as part of a coordinated protest or campaign.
The most direct equivalent, a loanword from English. Used for organized boycotts of products, events, or institutions.
その会社の製品をボイコットしよう。
Let's boycott that company's products.
学生たちは授業をボイコットした。
The students boycotted the classes.
Literally 'non-purchase movement'. Used for organized consumer boycotts, often in news or formal contexts.
環境団体が不買運動を呼びかけている。
An environmental group is calling for a boycott.
Means 'exclusion movement'. Can refer to boycotts but has a stronger, sometimes hostile connotation. Less common for consumer boycotts.
その国では外国製品の排斥運動が起きた。
A boycott of foreign products occurred in that country.
Personally deciding not to buy or use something, often for ethical or practical reasons, without an organized campaign.
The simple negative form of 'buy'. The most natural way to say you won't buy something.
あの店ではもう買わない。
I'm not going to buy from that store anymore.
Means 'to avoid'. Can be used when you avoid buying or using something.
プラスチック製品を避けるようにしている。
I try to avoid plastic products.
Means 'to refuse'. Stronger than 避ける, implies a deliberate refusal.
その会社のサービスを利用するのを拒否した。
I refused to use that company's services.
Refusing to take part in an event, meeting, or activity as a form of protest.
Simply 'not participate'. The most straightforward way to express refusal to join.
抗議のために会議に参加しなかった。
I didn't participate in the meeting as a protest.
Means 'to be absent'. Often used for formal events like meetings or classes.
彼はその式典を欠席して抗議の意を示した。
He boycotted the ceremony to show his protest.
ボイコット is a general term for any organized refusal, including strikes or event boycotts. 不買運動 specifically refers to consumer boycotts (refusing to buy). Use 不買運動 when talking about campaigns against products or companies.
オリンピックのボイコット
boycott of the Olympics
不買運動で売上が減少した。
Sales decreased due to the boycott.
While ボイコット is understood, it can sound like a direct translation from English. For everyday refusal, use simpler verbs like 買わない, 避ける, or 参加しない unless you are referring to an organized campaign.