Translation guide
The English word 'merchant' generally refers to a person or business involved in trade, especially wholesale or large-scale buying and selling. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 商人 (しょうにん), but other terms exist depending on context, such as 業者 (ぎょうしゃ) for a trader or dealer, and 商店 (しょうてん) for a shop or store. This guide helps learners choose the right word based on the specific meaning and situation.
To refer to an individual engaged in trade, especially historically or in a traditional sense.
The most direct and common translation for 'merchant'. It can refer to a trader in any context, from historical merchants to modern businesspeople.
彼は商人として成功した。
He succeeded as a merchant.
この町には商人が多い。
There are many merchants in this town.
Specifically a merchant involved in international trade. Use when emphasizing import/export activities.
彼は貿易商として海外と取引している。
He trades overseas as a merchant.
Refers to the mercantile spirit or the character of a merchant. Not a direct translation of 'merchant' but a related concept.
彼は商人気質で、損得に厳しい。
He has a merchant's mentality and is strict about profit and loss.
To refer to a commercial enterprise, often wholesale or dealing in specific goods.
A general term for a trader, dealer, or business operator. Often used in compound words like 卸業者 (wholesaler) or 小売業者 (retailer).
その業者は高品質の商品を提供している。
That merchant provides high-quality goods.
私たちは信頼できる業者を探している。
We are looking for a reliable merchant.
Refers to a shop or store, often a small retail business. While not exactly 'merchant', it can be used when the focus is on the physical place of business.
A trading company, typically large and involved in international trade. Common in business contexts.
To refer to a merchant in historical settings, such as medieval or Edo-period Japan, or in fantasy stories.
Still the standard term, but in historical contexts it may evoke the image of a traditional merchant class.
江戸時代、商人は重要な役割を果たした。
In the Edo period, merchants played an important role.
A traveling merchant or peddler. Useful for historical or fantasy settings where merchants travel from town to town.
To use 'merchant' as an adjective describing something related to trade or commerce.
The most common way to express 'merchant' as an adjective. Attach to a noun to mean 'commercial' or 'merchant'.
A specific term for 'merchant ship'. More concise than 商業船.
その港には多くの商船が停泊している。
Many merchant ships are anchored at the port.
商人 (しょうにん) is a general term for a merchant or trader, often with a traditional or individual connotation. 業者 (ぎょうしゃ) is broader, referring to any business operator or dealer, and is commonly used in modern commercial contexts. 商社 (しょうしゃ) specifically means a trading company, usually large-scale and involved in international trade.
When 'merchant' is used as an adjective (e.g., merchant bank), do not directly translate it as 商人の. Instead, use 商業の (しょうぎょうの) or specific compound words like 商船 (しょうせん) for merchant ship.
彼は裕福な商人です。
He is a wealthy merchant.
その商人は東洋の香辛料を売っていた。
The merchant sold spices from the East.
あの商店はいつも賑わっている。
That merchant's shop is always bustling.
He works for a major trading company (merchant).
A traveling merchant came to the village.