Meaning

Primary

Business

Alternatives

Commerce, Trade

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

Selling merchandise is business, commerce, or trade.

Reading

しょうばい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. You've learned them both already!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 商売をする

    to do business

    商売をつづける

    to keep one's business going

    商売を始める

    to start a business

Context Sentences

田中さんは商売で大きく成功しました。

Mr. Tanaka succeeded in business.

最近はあのコンビニのせいで、商売あがったりだね。

Business has dried up recently because of that convenience store.

学校卒業後に商売を始めたんですが、すぐに商売をすることは簡単ではないことを学びました。

After leaving school I went into business for myself, but I soon learned that running a business is no easy task.

Kanji Composition