商人（しょうにん、shounin）
- merchant

The Japanese word 商人 商人 (しょうにん, shōnin) primarily means "merchant," "trader," or "businessman/businesswoman." It refers to a person involved in commerce, particularly someone who buys and sells goods for profit. This encompasses a wide range of activities, from operating a small shop to engaging in large-scale trade. The core function of a 商人 is to facilitate the exchange of goods and services.

⚫︎ あの商人は、とても信頼できます。 Translation: That merchant is very trustworthy. ⚫︎ 彼は成功した商人です。 Translation: He is a successful businessman. ⚫︎ その会社は外国との貿易をする商人によって運営されています。 Translation: That company is run by merchants who trade with foreign countries.

商人 is a common and versatile term used in various contexts. It's suitable for describing individuals involved in various forms of commerce, including retail, wholesale, and international trade. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, depending on the specific nuance and context. When talking about a specific profession, you could use 商人.

⚫︎ The word is written using the kanji 商人. ⚫︎ The reading is しょうにん (shōnin) in hiragana. ⚫︎ There are no variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ 貿易商 (ぼうえきしょう, bōekishō): Merchant specializing in international trade. ⚫︎ ビジネスマン (bijinesuman): Businessman (loanword). ⚫︎ バイヤー (baiyā): Buyer (loanword). ⚫︎ 販売員 (はんばいいん, hanbaiin): Salesperson/Sales representative.

⚫︎ While there isn't a direct antonym, words that represent roles outside of commerce can be considered opposites in a broad sense. ⚫︎ 消費者 (しょうひしゃ, shōhisha): Consumer ⚫︎ 労働者 (ろうどうしゃ, rōdōsha): Worker

彼は、世界中の市場を旅する経験豊富な商人です。 ・Translation: He is an experienced merchant who travels the markets around the world. ・Explanation: This sentence describes an individual with experience in international trade.

彼女は地元で有名な商人で、質の高い商品を提供しています。 ・Translation: She is a well-known merchant in the local area, providing high-quality goods. ・Explanation: This describes a local business owner.

The word 商人 is a compound word formed from two kanji: 商 (shō), meaning "commerce" or "trade," and 人 (nin/jin), meaning "person." Therefore, 商人 literally means "trade person" or "person of trade," accurately reflecting its meaning.