Translation guide
A cartel is an association of businesses or countries that agree to limit competition, control prices, or restrict production. In Japanese, the most common term is カルテル, a loanword from German. Other terms like 企業連合 or 独占禁止法違反 are used in legal or economic contexts.
An agreement among competing firms to control prices or limit production.
The most common and direct translation. Used in news, business, and everyday conversation about price-fixing or market control.
A criminal organization controlling drug production and distribution.
そのカルテルは価格を操作していた。
That cartel was manipulating prices.
石油輸出国機構はカルテルの一種だ。
OPEC is a type of cartel.
A more formal or legal term meaning 'business federation' or 'enterprise union'. Can refer to a cartel but also to legitimate trade associations.
その企業連合は市場を独占しようとした。
That cartel tried to monopolize the market.
Specifically means 'price-fixing agreement'. Used when the cartel's main activity is setting prices.
彼らは価格協定を結んだ。
They formed a price-fixing cartel.
Refers to bid-rigging or collusion, often in public works projects. A specific type of cartel behavior.
建設会社が談合を行っていた。
Construction companies were engaged in bid-rigging.
The standard term for a drug cartel. Combines 麻薬 (narcotics) with カルテル.
メキシコの麻薬カルテルは非常に危険だ。
Mexican drug cartels are extremely dangerous.
A more direct loan translation, used in media but less common than 麻薬カルテル.
ドラッグカルテルの抗争が激化している。
The conflict between drug cartels is intensifying.