trade

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is ぼう, and no kun reading is listed. It has 12 strokes and relates to trade in goods between regions.
• Basic usage: 貿易 is read ぼうえき, and 貿易商 is read ぼうえきしょう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 貿易 / 貿易商
  • 貿易 means trade. It is a noun read ぼうえき. It is the activity of trading goods between countries or regions.
  • この港は古くから海外との貿易で栄えた。 means “This port has long prospered through overseas trade.”
  • 貿易商 means trader or merchant. It is a noun read ぼうえきしょう. It refers to a trader or merchant whose business is commerce across regions.
  • 港町の貿易商が珍しい布を仕入れた。 means “A trader in the port city acquired rare fabric.”