取引先

• Reading: とりひきさき
• Romaji: torihikisaki
• Kanji breakdown: 取 (tori) — to take; 引 (hiki) — to pull; 先 (saki) — destination, ahead
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾi.çi.ki.sa.ki/

Meaning

Customer; client; business connection; trade partner. A company or person with whom one does business.

A noun referring to a business partner, client company, or trading counterpart. 取引先 is composed of 取引 (transaction, dealing) plus 先 (destination, counterpart). It is a key term in Japanese business culture where relationships with partners are highly valued. Common collocations include 取引先を訪問する (to visit a client) and 取引先との関係 (relationship with business partners).

Examples

1. 明日、取引先の会社を訪問する予定だ。 I'm planning to visit a client's office tomorrow.
2. 取引先との信頼関係を大切にしている。 We value the trust we've built with our business partners.
3. 新しい取引先を見つけるために展示会に参加した。 We attended a trade show to find new business partners.

Usage Guide

Context: business, corporate, meetings

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound of 取引 (transaction, dealing, from 取る to take + 引く to pull) and 先 (destination, counterpart). Literally the other party in a transaction.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Business