Translation guide
The act of selling goods, typically by traveling and offering items directly to people, often on a small scale or informally. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific verbs and nouns that distinguish between types of peddling, from traditional street vending to door-to-door sales.
To sell goods while moving through streets or public places, often from a cart, stall, or by carrying items.
The general term for peddling or itinerant trading. It refers to the occupation of traveling around to sell goods, often associated with traditional street vendors.
彼は毎日、街で行商をしている。
He peddles goods in the town every day.
Literally 'to walk around selling'. A verb phrase that vividly describes the action of peddling while moving from place to place.
彼女は手作りのアクセサリーを売り歩いている。
She goes around selling handmade accessories.
Refers to a stallholder or hawker at festivals or events, often with a slightly shady or traditional connotation. Not a general term for peddling.
祭りでは的屋がたくさん店を出している。
At the festival, many hawkers set up stalls.
To sell goods by visiting people's homes or businesses directly, often carrying samples or catalogs.
The standard term for door-to-door sales. It emphasizes the act of visiting customers to sell products.
訪問販売の人が来たけど、断った。
A door-to-door salesperson came, but I turned them away.
Literally 'to go around selling house by house'. A descriptive phrase for peddling door-to-door.
彼は掃除機を一軒一軒売って回っている。
He goes door-to-door selling vacuum cleaners.
To sell items casually, often without a fixed shop, such as at a market stall or on the street.
A street stall or booth. Often used in the context of peddling goods at markets or festivals.
週末に露店で古着を売っている。
I sell used clothes at a street stall on weekends.
A general term for a peddler or street vendor, often used in historical or traditional contexts.
To peddle illicit items such as drugs or stolen goods, often secretly.
Illegal selling or trafficking. Used for peddling contraband.
彼は麻薬の密売で逮捕された。
He was arrested for peddling drugs.
To sell illegally or to push (drugs). A more descriptive phrase.
彼らは路上で偽ブランド品を違法に売りさばいていた。
They were peddling counterfeit brand goods on the street.
行商 (gyōshō) is a broader term for itinerant trading, often outdoors or in public spaces. 訪問販売 (hōmon hanbai) specifically means door-to-door sales, visiting homes or offices. Use 行商 for traditional street peddling and 訪問販売 for modern direct sales.
The English word 'peddling' can have negative connotations (e.g., peddling drugs, peddling lies). In Japanese, the neutral term 行商 does not carry this nuance. For illegal peddling, use 密売 or 違法に売る. For metaphorical uses like 'peddling influence', consider 売り込む or 広める instead of a direct translation.
In the old days, peddlers used to walk around the town.