How to say "trade" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe English loanword, used where 'trade' is borrowed directly: player trades in professional sports, and trading of currencies, stocks or other financial assets. It does not serve as the general word for commerce.
- 営業えいぎょうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'trade' only in the sense of doing business — sales activity, calls on customers, a shop being open for business. Not the word for trade as an exchange of goods.
- 商売しょうばいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbTrade as a person's line of business or livelihood: running a shop or restaurant, buying and selling to make a living. Often carries a down-to-earth, profit-minded nuance.
- 売買ばいばいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbTrade as the act of buying and selling: transactions in goods, property or securities. Also the word for trafficking in humans, arms or drugs, so context decides whether the dealing is legitimate.
- 交易こうえきnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbTrade as the exchange of goods between countries, peoples or regions. Suits talk of trade relations between nations, whether historical exchanges or present-day commerce across borders.
Pick 「トレード」 for loanword uses like sports trades and financial trading, 商売 for business as a livelihood, 営業 for conducting business or sales, 売買 for buying and selling, and 交易 for trade between countries or peoples.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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