Japanese word

商売

Pronunciation

Romajishōbai

Meaning

  • nounbusiness

Example

父は商売をしています。chichi wa shō bai o shi te i ma su

My father is in business.

Illustration for 商売 (business)

More examples

彼女は家族の商売を続けたいと思っています。kano jo wa ka zoku no shō bai o tsuzu ke ta i to omo tte i ma su

She wants to continue the family business.

Core concept

Covers the practical work of making a living through buying, selling, or providing services for payment.

Common phrases

  • 商売をするshō bai o su ru

    do business

  • 商売を始めるshō bai o haji me ru

    start a business

  • 商売を続けるshō bai o tsuzu ke ru

    continue a business

  • 商売がうまくいくshō bai ga u ma ku i ku

    business is going well

Similar words

事業jigyō: A business enterprise organized to provide goods or services and earn money.
営業eigyō: The activity of running a business and selling its goods or services.

Definition in Japanese

物を売ったりサービスを提供したりして利益を得る仕事。mono o u tta ri sā bi su o tei kyō shi ta ri shi te ri eki o e ru shi goto

Word origin

商 (shō, "commerce") and 売 (bai, "selling") combine in 商売 (shōbai, "business or trade") to name an activity based on commercial exchange.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 商売 (shōbai) can refer to a person's business or line of work rather than to one specific sale.

Other meanings

  • tradenoun

Related words

  • 商売人shōbaininbusinesspersonnoun
  • 商売っ気shōbaikkebusiness sensenoun

Word lists with this word