Translation guide
The English word "trade" covers several distinct concepts: the activity of buying and selling, a specific business or occupation, an exchange of items, and the act of swapping one thing for another. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
The activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services, especially on a large scale (domestic or international).
The standard term for international trade or foreign trade. Used for the exchange of goods between countries.
日本はアメリカとの貿易が盛んだ。
Japan has a thriving trade with the United States.
Refers to transactions, dealings, or business trade. Can be used for both commercial transactions and metaphorical dealings.
その会社は海外との取引を拡大している。
That company is expanding its trade with overseas partners.
Commerce or trade in a broad sense, often used in economic contexts or as a field of study.
この地域は商業が発展している。
Trade is well-developed in this region.
Trade or commerce, often with a historical or cross-cultural nuance. Less common in everyday speech.
シルクロードは東西交易の要所だった。
The Silk Road was a hub of East-West trade.
A skilled job, especially one that involves working with your hands and requires special training.
General term for occupation or profession. When referring to a skilled trade, it is often combined with other words.
彼は大工という職業に就いている。
He works in the trade of carpentry.
Specifically refers to a skilled trade or technical job requiring manual skills.
技能職の需要が高まっている。
Demand for skilled trades is increasing.
Craftsman or artisan. Often used to describe a person in a skilled trade, like a carpenter or plasterer.
Can mean trade in the sense of one's business or livelihood, but often implies a small business or shop rather than a skilled craft.
To give something and receive something else in return; to swap items.
The most common word for exchanging or swapping items. Can be used for physical objects, information, etc.
彼と本を交換した。
I traded books with him.
Loanword from English, often used in sports (player trades) or casual contexts. Not used for large-scale commerce.
To exchange or replace one thing for another. Often used for swapping defective goods or changing parts.
To give a used item as partial payment for a new one.
The standard phrase for trading in a used car, appliance, etc. when buying a new one.
古い車を下取りに出して新車を買った。
I traded in my old car and bought a new one.
Noun form meaning trade-in. Often used in commercial contexts.
この店では下取りも行っています。
This store also accepts trade-ins.
貿易 (bōeki) is strictly for international trade between countries or large entities. Using it for exchanging books or trading in a car would sound unnatural. Use 交換 (kōkan) or 下取り (shitadori) instead.
取引 (torihiki) implies a business transaction or deal, often with negotiation. 交換 (kōkan) is a simple exchange of items. If you trade baseball cards with a friend, use 交換; if you make a business deal, use 取引.
国際貿易は経済にとって極めて重要だ。
International trade is vital for the economy.
彼は電気工事士としての技能を身につけた。
He learned his trade as an electrician.
席を交換しよう。
Let's trade seats.
彼は腕のいい職人だ。
He is a skilled tradesman.
彼の商売は左官業だ。
His trade is plastering.
彼は別のチームにトレードされた。
He was traded to another team.
不良品を新しいものと取り替えてもらった。
I traded the defective item for a new one.
Barter or direct exchange of goods without money. Used for literal barter situations.
昔は物々交換で生活していた。
In the past, people lived by trade (barter).