Meaning
商人 refers to a person engaged in commerce, trade, or business activities. It encompasses anyone from small-scale traders to large business owners who buy and sell goods or services for profit. The term has been used throughout Chinese history to describe the merchant class.
Usage
This is a neutral, formal term commonly used in written and spoken contexts. It can describe both traditional merchants and modern businesspeople. Often used in historical contexts when discussing the traditional four occupational classes (士农工商 - scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants) where merchants ranked last in Confucian hierarchy.
Examples
- 01他父亲是一位成功的商人，在上海开了好几家公司。, .His father is a successful businessman who has opened several companies in Shanghai.
- 02古代的商人经常要走很远的路去做生意。.Merchants in ancient times often had to travel very long distances to conduct business.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个商人
- 位一位商人
Common collocations
- 外国商人foreign merchant
- 小商人small trader
- 成功的商人successful businessperson
Origin
商 originally referred to the Shang Dynasty and came to mean commerce/trade. Combined with 人 (person) to literally mean 'commerce person' or merchant.