Meaning

Primary

Merchant

Alternatives

Trader, Shopkeeper, Tradesperson

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

A merchandise person is a merchant. You want to buy something or you just looking?

Reading

しょうにん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 商人に話しかける

    to strike up conversation with a merchant

    商人になる

    to become a merchant

    商人に売る

    to sell to a merchant

Context Sentences

商人の血がさわぎます。

As a merchant, I'm thrilled.

わたしの父は、おろし商人です。

My dad is a wholesale trader.

彼、私に自分は商人だって言ってたんだけど、でも実は貧乏なホームレスで、仕事はなんと空き缶収集だったの。

He told me that he was a shopkeeper, but I found out that he was actually a poor homeless man who supported himself by collecting empty cans.

Kanji Composition