Translation guide
Direct selling refers to selling products directly to consumers outside of a traditional retail environment, often through personal contact, parties, or online. In Japanese, the term can be expressed in several ways depending on the context, such as the business model, the act of selling directly, or specific methods like door-to-door sales.
Referring to the business model where products are sold directly to consumers, bypassing retail stores.
The most direct translation, used in business contexts to describe the model of selling directly to consumers.
当社は直接販売を採用しています。
Our company uses a direct selling model.
Abbreviation of 直接販売, commonly used in business and marketing.
この商品は直販のみで購入できます。
This product can only be purchased through direct sales.
Describing the act of selling directly to individuals, often at their homes or through personal networks.
Specifically refers to door-to-door sales or in-home selling.
訪問販売のセールスマンが来ました。
A door-to-door salesman came.
Refers to selling by individuals, often in a network marketing context.
彼女は化粧品の個人販売をしています。
She does direct selling of cosmetics.
Referring to multi-level marketing or network marketing, a common form of direct selling.
The common Japanese term for network marketing or MLM.
彼はネットワークビジネスで成功しました。
He succeeded in network marketing.
Referring to brands selling directly to customers via the internet, bypassing retailers.
The abbreviation for Direct-to-Consumer, widely used in Japanese business.
最近、D2Cブランドが増えています。
Recently, D2C brands have been increasing.
Refers to a direct sales website, often used by manufacturers.
メーカーの直販サイトで買うと安いです。
It's cheaper to buy from the manufacturer's direct sales site.
直接販売 (direct sales) is a broad term for any direct-to-consumer model, while 訪問販売 specifically means door-to-door sales. Use 直接販売 for the business model and 訪問販売 for the act of visiting homes.
The phrase 'direct selling' cannot always be translated word-for-word. For example, 'I do direct selling' is better expressed as 個人販売をしています or ネットワークビジネスをしています depending on the context.
Often used for multi-level marketing, but can carry a slightly negative connotation (pyramid scheme). Use with caution.
This term can imply a pyramid scheme or illegal activity. Use ネットワークビジネス for a neutral term.
マルチ商法には注意が必要です。
You need to be careful with multi-level marketing.