商売

• Reading: しょうばい
• Romaji: shoubai
• Kanji breakdown: 商 (shou) — commerce, trade; 売 (bai) — to sell
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.ba.i/

Meaning

Trade; business; commerce. The activity of buying and selling goods or services.

A suru-verb (商売する) with a slightly more informal, hands-on nuance than ビジネス. Often implies small-scale or independent trade. Can carry a slightly old-fashioned or earthy tone, frequently used about shopkeepers, merchants, and street vendors.

Examples

1. 祖父は長年魚の商売をしていた。 My grandfather was in the fish trade for many years.
2. この辺りは商売をする人が多くて活気がある。 There are a lot of people running businesses around here, so it's full of energy.
3. 商売を始めるには、まず資金が必要だ。 To start a business, you first need capital.

Usage Guide

Context: commerce, daily life, traditional occupations

Tone: practical

Origin & History

Compound of 商 (shou, commerce/trade) and 売 (bai, to sell). Literally 'commerce-selling,' emphasizing the selling aspect of business activity.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal