What is the difference between businessman and merchant ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

Answers

rightside_10

3 February

English (US)

A merchant is an outdated term for someone who sells something. When I think of a modern-day application for the word 'merchant', I think of individuals selling fresh food at farmers markets. This is not a word often used, at least in the US.

A businessman is someone who works in the field of business. These are the men and women working in your multi-milliondollar conglomerates, your entrepreneurs, your car dealers, etc etc. The word 'businessman' is much more often used.

girl20zho

3 February

Simplified Chinese (China)

@chloe_ktj the internet says that a merchant means someone works on wholesale business,especially refers to a man working on international business.
A businessman means someone has experience in various trading activities.
Is it right?

girl20zho

3 February

Simplified Chinese (China)

merchant earns more money,right?

rightside_10

3 February

English (US)

What you said is true. However, I know generally speaking, merchant isn't used very much. You may see it in history books, referring to the merchants during Columbus's day and the Renaissance, but that's where its conventional usage ends. If someone is trying to refer to someone who works on an international scale, they will still use the word 'businessman' but perhaps elaborate on the career if asked.

This is because the term 'businessman' covers a large area of fields. Businessmen work overseas, in marketing, in stocks, in transportation management, in HR, etc etc. They are, quite literally, men (and women) who work in the business field. Businessman in this sense is synonymous with merchant and has a much more conventional use.

Hope this helps!

girl20zho

3 February

Simplified Chinese (China)

Thanks for telling me.l see

[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!

Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.

Share this question

Copy URL

What is the difference between businessman and merchant ?