Translation guide
The English word 'boycott' refers to refusing to buy, use, or participate in something as a protest or to force change. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ボイコット, a loanword used for organized boycotts. For everyday refusal to buy or use something, 不買 (ふばい) is used in formal contexts, while verbs like 拒否する (きょひする) or 避ける (さける) can express the idea more generally.
Refusing to buy, use, or participate in something as part of a coordinated protest or campaign.
Personally deciding not to buy or use something, often for ethical or practical reasons, without an organized campaign.
The simple negative form of 'buy'. The most natural way to say you won't buy something.
I'm not going to buy from that store anymore.
Means 'to avoid'. Can be used when you avoid buying or using something.
Means 'to refuse'. Stronger than 避ける, implies a deliberate refusal.
Refusing to take part in an event, meeting, or activity as a form of protest.
ボイコット is a general term for any organized refusal, including strikes or event boycotts. 不買運動 specifically refers to consumer boycotts (refusing to buy). Use 不買運動 when talking about campaigns against products or companies.
boycott of the Olympics
Sales decreased due to the boycott.
While ボイコット is understood, it can sound like a direct translation from English. For everyday refusal, use simpler verbs like 買わない, 避ける, or 参加しない unless you are referring to an organized campaign.
Literally 'non-purchase movement'. Used for organized consumer boycotts, often in news or formal contexts.
An environmental group is calling for a boycott.
Means 'exclusion movement'. Can refer to boycotts but has a stronger, sometimes hostile connotation. Less common for consumer boycotts.
A boycott of foreign products occurred in that country.
I try to avoid plastic products.
I refused to use that company's services.
He boycotted the ceremony to show his protest.