PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 商売繁盛

Reading:

しょうばいはんじょう (shoubai hanjou)

English Translation:

Prosperous business

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Commercial prosperity: brisk sales, steady customers, healthy cash flow, and a thriving shop or venture.
日本語で読む
商いが繁盛し、売上・来客・資金繰りが好調で事業が活気づくこと。

Cultural Context:

Invoked in New Year prayers and local festivals; linked to deities like Ebisu/Daikokuten, talismans, and market fairs (e.g., Tōka-Ebisu, Tori-no-Ichi).
日本語で読む
正月の祈願や地域祭礼で唱えられ、恵比寿・大黒天、熊手・お札、十日戎・酉の市など商売の神事・縁起物と深く結びつく。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase with “を祈る” or “の店” to describe business prosperity (“商売繁盛を祈願する”).<br>• Common in commerce and New Year traditions.
日本語で読む
• 商売が順調で利益が上がることを願う・表す「〜を祈る」「〜の店」（例：「商売繁盛を祈願する」）。<br>• 商業や新年の習慣でよく使われる。

Trap for English Speakers

Might be confused as already-successful business, but it can also express a *wish* for prosperity.
日本語で読む
すでに繁盛している場合だけでなく、繁盛を願う意味もある点に注意。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 新年の初売りは商売繁盛だった。

    The New Year’s sale was a great success.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. ゲームセンターのクレーンゲームが激アツで、商売繁盛間違いなしだ。

    The arcade’s crane games were on fire today—prosperous business guaranteed.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「商売繁盛」 mean?

More questions: Yojijukugo quiz →