Translation guide
A person who sells goods on the street, often from a cart, stall, or portable setup. Japanese has several terms depending on the type of goods, mobility, and historical context.
To refer to a person selling food or goods on the street in a contemporary setting, such as at a market or festival.
A general term for a street vendor who operates an open-air stall. Commonly used for vendors at festivals, markets, or on sidewalks.
あの露天商は美味しい焼き鳥を売っている。
That street vendor sells delicious yakitori.
Specifically the owner or operator of a yatai (food stall). Yatai are mobile food carts often found at festivals or along streets at night.
屋台の店主はラーメンを作るのが上手だ。
The street vendor is skilled at making ramen.
A vendor at festivals or fairs, often selling cheap goods or running game booths. Can carry a slightly shady connotation.
祭りで的屋が金魚すくいを出していた。
A street vendor was running a goldfish scooping game at the festival.
To describe a vendor who sells food from a vehicle, like a food truck or pushcart.
Literally 'mobile sales vehicle'. Used for food trucks or vans that sell goods on the street.
移動販売車が公園の近くでコーヒーを売っている。
A street vendor is selling coffee near the park from a food truck.
A loanword for 'kitchen car', commonly used for modern food trucks.
キッチンカーが会社の前に来る。
A food truck comes in front of the office.
A vendor who walks around pulling a cart, often selling food like roasted sweet potatoes or ramen. Traditional and less common today.
引き売りのおじさんが焼き芋を売りに来た。
A street vendor came selling roasted sweet potatoes from his cart.
To refer to street vendors in historical contexts, such as Edo-period Japan, or those selling specific traditional items.
An Edo-period street vendor who carried goods on a pole and walked around calling out. Often sold fish, vegetables, or daily necessities.
江戸時代には棒手振が町を歩き回っていた。
During the Edo period, street vendors walked around town carrying goods on poles.
Similar to 棒手振, a vendor who walks around selling goods, often with a distinctive call.
露天商 is a broad term for any open-air vendor, while 屋台の店主 specifically refers to the owner of a yatai food stall. Use 露天商 for general street vendors, and 屋台の店主 when emphasizing the person running a food cart.
露天商は許可が必要だ。
Street vendors need a permit.
屋台の店主は毎晩ここで商売をしている。
The food stall owner does business here every night.
The direct translation '通りの売り手' (tōri no urite) is not natural Japanese. Use the terms above depending on context.
The street vendor was shouting 'Sardines! Sardines!'