Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'vendor' is expressed through different words depending on the context: a street stall, a shop, a supplier, or a salesperson. The most common and direct equivalent for a small street vendor is 屋台 (yatai), but for a business supplier, 仕入先 (shiiresaki) or ベンダー (bendā) is used.
A person or small business selling goods, especially food, from a temporary stall or cart on the street.
Refers to a small, mobile food stall or cart, often found at festivals or on streets. This is the most common word for a street vendor's stall.
祭りで屋台がたくさん出ていた。
There were many vendor stalls at the festival.
A street stall or booth, often used for temporary shops at markets or events. Slightly more formal than 屋台.
露店でアクセサリーを売っている。
I sell accessories at a street stall.
A peddler or itinerant vendor who travels to sell goods. This is a more traditional or historical term.
行商人が村にやって来た。
A vendor came to the village.
A company or person that supplies goods or services to another business.
A supplier or vendor from whom a business purchases goods. Commonly used in business contexts.
新しい仕入先を探しています。
We are looking for a new vendor.
A loanword from English, used in IT and business contexts for a vendor or supplier. Often used in compound terms like ソフトウェアベンダー (software vendor).
A person who sells goods, especially in a store or market.
A salesperson or vendor, often used for someone selling at a stall or in a store. Can be casual.
売り子が大きな声で呼び込みをしている。
The vendor is calling out to customers loudly.
A sales clerk or salesperson, more formal and used in retail settings.
The English word 'vendor' covers many concepts. Using a single Japanese word for all situations will sound unnatural. Choose based on context: street stall (屋台), business supplier (仕入先), or salesperson (売り子).
そのベンダーから部品を購入した。
We purchased parts from that vendor.
A supplier or delivery contractor, emphasizing the delivery aspect. Used in formal business settings.
納入業者との契約を更新する。
We will renew the contract with the vendor.
販売員に商品について尋ねた。
I asked the vendor about the product.