Translation guide
A business that buys and sells goods internationally or domestically. In Japanese, the term is often associated with large general trading companies (sōgō shōsha) that handle a wide range of products and services.
商社
trading company
A large company that trades in a wide variety of goods and services, often internationally, and may also invest and provide logistics.
The most common and general term for a trading company. It can refer to any company engaged in trade, but often implies a larger firm.
彼は大手商社に勤めています。
He works for a major trading company.
Specifically refers to a general trading company that deals with a vast range of products and services, from raw materials to consumer goods, and often engages in finance and investment.
三菱商事は日本の代表的な総合商社です。
Mitsubishi Corporation is a typical Japanese general trading company.
A specialized trading company that focuses on a specific product category or industry, such as textiles, chemicals, or machinery.
その専門商社は電子部品だけを扱っています。
That specialized trading company deals only in electronic components.
A smaller company that engages in trade, often focusing on specific products or regions.
Literally 'trade company', this term is used for firms that specifically engage in international trade. It can be used for companies of any size but is common for smaller entities.
彼は小さな貿易会社を経営しています。
He runs a small trading company.
Also used for smaller trading companies, though it may be ambiguous without context.
Referring to the concept or category of a trading company in general.
A phrase to describe the business model of a trading company.
商社というビジネスは、物を売買するだけでなく、投資も行います。
The trading company business involves not only buying and selling goods but also making investments.
In Japanese business contexts, '商社' often implies a large, well-known general trading company. If you want to emphasize international trade specifically, '貿易会社' is clearer.
That trading company mainly does business with Asia.