Translation guide
The exchange of goods or services without using money. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific nouns and verbs, often with nuances of direct trade or swapping.
To trade items or services directly, without currency.
To exchange one specific item for another, often in a casual or informal setting.
物々交換 is the traditional, everyday term for barter of physical goods. バーター is a business term, often used for non-physical exchanges like advertising slots or favors. Use 物々交換 for general barter.
物々交換で野菜をもらった。
I got vegetables through barter.
テレビ局とバーター取引をした。
We did a barter deal with the TV station.
彼らは布と塩を物々交換した。
They bartered cloth for salt.
いくつかの村では、今でも物々交換をしている。
In some villages, people still barter goods.
The most common and neutral term for barter, literally 'goods-goods exchange'. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'to barter'.
昔は物々交換で生活していた。
In the old days, people lived by barter.
彼らは米と魚を物々交換した。
They bartered rice for fish.
Loanword from English, used in business or media contexts, often for exchanging advertising slots or services rather than physical goods.
その契約はバーター取引だった。
The deal was a barter transaction.
General word for 'exchange'. Can imply barter when context makes it clear no money is involved, but often needs clarification.
現金ではなく、品物の交換で支払った。
I paid by exchanging goods, not with cash.
Loanword from English 'trade', used casually for swapping items, especially in hobbies or sports.
ゲームを友達とトレードした。
I traded games with a friend.
Verb meaning 'to exchange' or 'to swap'. Commonly used for trading items of similar value.
彼と本を取り替えた。
I swapped books with him.
Verb form of 交換, meaning 'to exchange'. Can be used for barter when the context excludes money.
野菜を手作りのパンと交換した。
I exchanged vegetables for homemade bread.