Translation guide
The English word "trading" covers a wide range of activities from financial market transactions to simple exchanges of goods. This guide focuses on the most common Japanese equivalents for an English-speaking learner, organized by context.
Buying and selling financial instruments like stocks, currencies, or commodities, often for profit.
The general term for transactions, including financial trading. It's neutral and widely used.
I started stock trading.
Foreign exchange trading is high risk.
Loanword from English, commonly used in financial contexts, especially among younger people or in casual business settings.
Specifically means buying and selling. Often used in legal or formal contexts, or in compound terms like 株式売買 (stock trading).
Exchanging items or services, often without money, or general commercial activity.
Means exchange. Use this for trading items directly, like swapping cards or bartering.
I traded games with a friend.
Also used for commercial transactions in general, not just financial. Can refer to business deals.
Sometimes used for non-financial exchanges, especially in sports (player trades) or casual contexts.
Referring to the act of trading as a job or regular activity.
取引 (とりひき) is a broad term for transactions, often involving money or formal agreements. 交換 (こうかん) is simply exchanging one thing for another, like swapping. Use 交換 when you trade cards with a friend; use 取引 when you trade stocks.
English uses 'trade' in many phrasal verbs and idioms (trade in, trade off, trade up). These rarely translate directly to 取引. For example, 'trade in a car' is 下取りに出す (したどりにだす), not 取引.
I want to learn about forex trading.
Let's trade phone numbers.
彼はデイトレードで生計を立てている。
He makes a living from day trading.
この証券会社は株式売買手数料が安い。
This brokerage has low stock trading fees.
They trade by barter.
その会社と長期的な取引がある。
We have long-term trading with that company.
選手のトレードが成立した。
The player trade went through.
彼は家業の商いを継いだ。
He took over the family trade.