Translation guide
The act of sending goods to someone, usually for sale, or the goods themselves. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 委託 (itaku), but the specific term depends on context: shipping, selling on behalf of another, or entrusting items.
The speaker wants to refer to goods sent to an agent for sale, or the act of sending them.
The standard business term for consignment, where goods are entrusted to another party for sale. Often used in compounds like 委託販売 (consignment sale).
These goods are on consignment.
We signed a consignment agreement.
Literally 'depositing', used when goods are left with someone for safekeeping or sale, but less formal than 委託.
I deposited the goods (for consignment).
Means 'shipment' or 'shipping'. Use when the focus is on the physical sending of goods, not necessarily the consignment arrangement.
We will ship the first consignment tomorrow.
The speaker refers to a specific shipment or lot of items sent at one time.
Refers to cargo or a load of goods being transported. Suitable for a physical consignment.
The consignment arrived at the port.
Loanword from English 'lot', used in business for a batch of products. Common in manufacturing and logistics.
General word for luggage or parcel. Can be used informally for a consignment, but lacks business precision.
The speaker wants to express the act of giving something to another person to look after or handle.
Verb meaning 'to leave something with someone' or 'to entrust'. Commonly used for consigning items for sale or safekeeping.
I consign goods to the store for them to sell.
More formal verb meaning 'to entrust' or 'to leave to'. Used for decisions or responsibilities, less for physical goods.
委託 (itaku) emphasizes the trust/agency relationship where the receiver sells on your behalf. 出荷 (shukka) simply means shipping goods out, without implying a consignment sale arrangement. Use 委託 for the business model, 出荷 for the physical act of sending.
We ship goods under a consignment sale agreement.
The English word 'consignment' covers both the act and the goods. In Japanese, you often need to specify whether you mean the arrangement (委託), the shipment (出荷), or the cargo (積み荷). Using コンサインメント (konsainmento) is possible in some business contexts but sounds like jargon.
This entire lot is a consignment.
A large consignment arrived.
販売を代理店に委ねる。
We consign the sales to the agent.