Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 貿易 | bōeki | [bo̞ːe̞kʲi] (narrow) |
| 交易 | kōeki | [ko̞ːe̞kʲi] (narrow) [kʲo̞ːja̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 商業 | shōgyō | [ɕo̞ːɡʲo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 商う | akinau | [a̠kʲina̠ɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term 貿易 is used specifically to refer to international trade between countries. For example, it is used in technical terms like 貿易摩擦 to describe trade friction in politics and news. In contrast, the term 取引 is a broader word used to describe any type of commercial transaction or business deal.
Which one should you use?
While 貿易 specifically denotes international trade between nations, other terms cover different nuances. 商業 refers to the general concept of commerce or the business sector. 交易 is used to describe the exchange of goods or cultural trade, often in historical or more poetic contexts. Unlike the noun forms, 商う is a verb meaning to trade or to conduct business.
How does it change in a sentence?
商う is a verb used to mean to trade or to conduct business.
How do you pronounce it?
bōeki
Did you know?
- The verb 商う is believed to be linked to the word for 'autumn', 秋. This stems from the historical custom of conducting trade during the autumn months following the harvest.
Examples in context
- 父は貿易業に従事している。My father is engaged in foreign trade.This sentence is useful for describing someone's profession involving 貿易.Tatoeba #84370 by bunbuku, translation #319345 by CM
- 今にも両国間に貿易摩擦が生じそうだ。Trade friction might arise between the two nations at any moment.This sentence shows how to use 貿易 when discussing international trade disputes.Tatoeba #172756 by bunbuku, translation #241718 by CM
- 日本の貿易黒字は史上最高を記録しました。Japan's trade surplus soared to a record high.This sentence illustrates the use of 貿易 in the context of a trade surplus.Tatoeba #122549 by small_snow, translation #281454 by CM
- 日本とアメリカの間での貿易は重要です。Trade between Japan and America is important.
- この取引は公正であります。This trade is fair.
- 彼は大規模な商売を始めました。He started a large-scale trade/business.
- 町の市場で売買が盛んです。Trading is booming at the town market.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two university students are discussing a lecture in a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari今日の講義は貿易についてでしたね。Kyou no kougi wa boueki ni tsuite deshita ne.Today's lecture was about trade, wasn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、とても興味深い内容でした。Hai, totemo kyoumibukai naiyou deshita.Yes, it was a very interesting topic.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さんは貿易の仕事に興味がありますか？Hiroto-san wa boueki no shigoto ni kyoumi ga arimasu ka?Hiroto, are you interested in a career in trade?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、将来は世界で活躍したいです。Hai, shourai wa sekai de katsuyaku shitai desu.Yes, I want to work globally in the future.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trade” translations and entries 貿易, 交易, 商業, 商う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 交易, 商う, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
