Translation and Meaning of: 商 - shou

The Japanese word 商[しょう] is an essential term for anyone looking to understand the commercial and economic aspects of Japan. Its main meaning is related to trade, business, and transactions, but its application goes beyond the purely financial context. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin and writing of the kanji to its everyday use and compound expressions. If you are learning Japanese or simply curious about the language, understanding 商[しょう] can open doors to a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Meaning and Origin of the Kanji 商

The kanji 商 is composed of the radical 亠 (tou, which indicates "cover" or "roof") and the lower part 冏 (kei, associated with "exchange" or "negotiation"). Historically, this character originated in ancient China, representing the idea of trade and the exchange of goods. In Japan, it was incorporated with the same meaning, becoming part of terms such as 商業[しょうぎょう] (commerce) and 商品[しょうひん] (goods).

In addition to its literal meaning, 商 carries a connotation of movement and social interaction. Unlike other kanjis related to money, such as 金[きん], it emphasizes the relationship between people in transactions. This nuance is important to understand why the term appears in contexts ranging from small businesses to large corporations.

Everyday Use and Common Expressions

In daily life, 商[しょう] appears in various words and phrases. One of the most well-known is 商売[しょうばい], which means "business" or "commerce." This expression is often used to refer to commercial activities, whether it's a neighborhood store or a multinational company. Another example is 商人[しょうにん], which designates a merchant or trader.

It is worth noting that 商 also appears in less obvious contexts. In 商談[しょうだん], for example, the term refers to business negotiations, showing how the word is linked to processes of dialogue and agreement. This type of use reinforces the idea that commerce in Japan is not just an exchange of products, but also of relationships.

Tips for Memorizing and Applying

An effective way to memorize 商[しょう] is to associate it with words that are already part of the basic vocabulary of those studying Japanese. For example, 商店[しょうてん] means "store" and can be easily remembered by thinking of commercial establishments. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, like "この商品は高いです" (This product is expensive), which helps reinforce the use of the kanji in real contexts.

Interestingly, 商 also appears in technical terms, such as 商法 [しょうほう] (commercial law), showing its relevance in specialized areas. For those seeking fluency, learning these variations is essential. A good strategy is to create flashcards with practical examples, highlighting both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 売り (Uri) - Sale
• 取引 (Torihiki) - Transação, negociação
• ビジネス (Bijinesu) - Business, Trade
• 商業 (Shōgyō) - Commerce, Commercial activity
• 販売 (Hanbai) - Sale, Marketing
• 商売 (Shōbai) - Trade, Business (focusing on local activities)
• 商人 (Shōnin) - Merchant, Trader
• 商店 (Shōten) - Store, Commercial establishment
• 商業的 (Shōgyō-teki) - Commercial, Related to trade
• 商用 (Shōyō) - Commercial use

商

Romaji: shou
Kana: しょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: quotient

Meaning in English: quotient

Definition: To sell products.

Example Sentences - (商) shou

See below some example sentences:

売り場にはたくさんの商品があります。

Uriba ni wa takusan no shouhin ga arimasu

In the store

There are many products on the sales floor.

• 売り場 (Uriba) - means "sales area" or "store."
• に (ni) - it is a particle that indicates the location of something, in this case, "in the sales area."
• は (wa) - it is a particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case, "in the sales area."
• たくさん (takusan) - means "many" or "a lot".
• の (no) - it is a particle that indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "many products".
• 商品 (shouhin) - means "products" or "goods".
• が (ga) - it is a particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the products".
• あります (arimasu) - is a verb that means "to exist" or "to be present", in this case, "there are many products in the sales area".

手頃な価格の商品を探しています。

tegoro na kakaku no shouhin wo sagashiteimasu

I am looking for affordable products.

I'm looking for affordable products.

• 手頃な - affordable, reasonable
• 価格 - price
• の - particle indicating possession or connection
• 商品 - product, merchandise
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 探しています - searching

招き猫は商売繁盛の象徴です。

Maneki neko wa shōbai hanjō no shōchō desu

The lucky cat is a symbol of prosperity in business.

The waving cat is a symbol of business prosperity.

• 招き猫 - lucky cat
• は - Topic particle
• 商売繁盛 - prosperity in business
• の - Possession particle
• 象徴 - symbol
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

輸入した商品は品質が高いです。

yūnyū shita shōhin wa hinshitsu ga takai desu

Imported products have high quality.

• 輸入した - verb "to import" conjugated in the past
• 商品 - noun "product"
• は - Topic particle
• 品質 - noun "quality"
• が - subject particle
• 高い - adjective "high" conjugated in the present
• です - verb "to be" conjugated in the present

送料は商品の配送費用です。

Souryou wa shouhin no haisou hiyou desu

Freight is the cost of shipping the product.

The shipping fee is the cost of delivery of the product.

• 送料 - It means "shipping cost" in Japanese.
• は - It is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "shipping cost".
• 商品 - It means "product" in Japanese.
• の - It is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words, in this case, "product" and "shipping cost".
• 配送 - It means "delivery" in Japanese.
• 費用 - It means "cost" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.