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

ここは昔、商人の家でした。

This was a merchant's house a long time ago.

町には商人がたくさんいます。

There are many merchants in the town.

彼、自分が商人だって言ってたんだけど、実はホームレスで、仕事は空き缶収集だったの。

He said he was a merchant, but he was actually homeless, and his job was collecting empty cans.

Kanji Composition