商
Meanings
Refers to commercial activity, buying and selling, or a merchant's occupation. Often used in compounds like 商業 (commerce) or 商人 (merchant).
He runs a business.
Business is not going well.
quotient
Mathematical term for the result of division. Often seen in contexts like 商を求める (find the quotient).
See also: 積
If you divide 10 by 2, the quotient is 5.
second degree of the pentatonic scale
In traditional Japanese and Chinese music theory, 商 is the second note of the five-tone scale (五音). Rare outside specialized musical contexts.
See also: 五音
Among the five tones, 商 corresponds to the second note.
Shang dynasty; Yin dynasty
Historical term for the Shang dynasty of ancient China (approx. 1600–1046 BCE). Also known as the Yin dynasty. Used mainly in historical or archaeological contexts.
See also: 殷
The Shang dynasty is considered one of the oldest Chinese dynasties.
Usage patterns
- 商を求めるto find the quotient (in a division problem)
Find the quotient of 12 divided by 3.
- 商を営むto run a business; to engage in trade
This family has run a business for generations.