Translation guide
A person who sells goods on the street, often from a cart, stall, or portable setup. Japanese has several terms depending on the type of goods, mobility, and historical context.
To refer to a person selling food or goods on the street in a contemporary setting, such as at a market or festival.
A general term for a street vendor who operates an open-air stall. Commonly used for vendors at festivals, markets, or on sidewalks.
あの露天商は美味しい焼き鳥を売っている。
That street vendor sells delicious yakitori.
Specifically the owner or operator of a yatai (food stall). Yatai are mobile food carts often found at festivals or along streets at night.
屋台の店主はラーメンを作るのが上手だ。
The street vendor is skilled at making ramen.
A vendor at festivals or fairs, often selling cheap goods or running game booths. Can carry a slightly shady connotation.
祭りで的屋が金魚すくいを出していた。
A street vendor was running a goldfish scooping game at the festival.
To describe a vendor who sells food from a vehicle, like a food truck or pushcart.
Literally 'mobile sales vehicle'. Used for food trucks or vans that sell goods on the street.
移動販売車が公園の近くでコーヒーを売っている。
A street vendor is selling coffee near the park from a food truck.
A loanword for 'kitchen car', commonly used for modern food trucks.
A vendor who walks around pulling a cart, often selling food like roasted sweet potatoes or ramen. Traditional and less common today.
引き売りのおじさんが焼き芋を売りに来た。
A street vendor came selling roasted sweet potatoes from his cart.
To refer to street vendors in historical contexts, such as Edo-period Japan, or those selling specific traditional items.
An Edo-period street vendor who carried goods on a pole and walked around calling out. Often sold fish, vegetables, or daily necessities.
江戸時代には棒手振が町を歩き回っていた。
During the Edo period, street vendors walked around town carrying goods on poles.
Similar to 棒手振, a vendor who walks around selling goods, often with a distinctive call.
露天商 is a broad term for any open-air vendor, while 屋台の店主 specifically refers to the owner of a yatai food stall. Use 露天商 for general street vendors, and 屋台の店主 when emphasizing the person running a food cart.
露天商は許可が必要だ。
Street vendors need a permit.
屋台の店主は毎晩ここで商売をしている。
The food stall owner does business here every night.
The direct translation '通りの売り手' (tōri no urite) is not natural Japanese. Use the terms above depending on context.
A food truck comes in front of the office.
振り売りが「いわしー、いわしー」と叫んでいた。
The street vendor was shouting 'Sardines! Sardines!'