JLPT N3 Vocabulary – The difference between “製品” and “商品”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “製品せいひん” and “商品しょうひん“
2. “製品せいひん“
3. “商品しょうひん“
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

Q: Are the words “製品せいひん” and “商品しょうひん” the same?

A: In everyday conversation, they are often used with the same meaning.
However, depending on the situation, using them interchangeably can sound unnatural.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to who is speaking and from what standpoint, and to understand how to use them appropriately.

製品せいひん (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]

製品せいひん refers to something that you manufacture or process yourself.
• Used from the standpoint of the maker
• Often used together with words like “manufacturing,” “development,” and “production”
• Can be used even before it goes on the market or right after it is released

[Examples]
① A person working at a company that makes products
うちの会社かいしゃでは、新あたらしい製品せいひんを開発かいはつしています。

We are developing a new product.

② Explanation at a factory
この製品せいひんは、日本にほんの工場こうじょうで作つくられています。

This product is made in Japan.

③ During the production stage
夏なつに向むけて、新あたらしい製品せいひんを作つくっています。
We are developing a new product for the summer.
⇒ In contexts about “making” or “developing,” using 製品せいひん is natural.

商品しょうひん (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]

商品しょうひん refers to something that is on the market and being sold.
• Used from the standpoint of the seller or the buyer
• Has a set price
• It does not matter whether you made it yourself or not

[Examples]
① When shopping at a store
この商品しょうひん、安やすくてかわいいね。

This item is cheap and cute.

② Explanation by a store clerk
こちらは今いま、一番いちばん人気にんきの商品しょうひんです。

This is our most popular item.

③ Supermarket / store guidance
当店とうてんでは、安全あんぜんな商品しょうひんを販売はんばいしております。
Our store sells safe products.
⇒ When words like “sell,” “buy,” “price,” or “store” appear, it is basic to use 商品しょうひん.

Let’s Compare

Let’s look at an example where the word changes even though it refers to the same “thing.”

[Examples]
A person from Company A, which made the product, is speaking to a customer at a store.

「この製品せいひん、とても人気にんきなんですよ。」
This product is very popular.

「この商品しょうひん、とても人気にんきなんですよ。」
This item is very popular.

In this situation, 商品しょうひん is more natural.
This is because the item has already been completed, released to the market, given a price, and is being sold.

Also, it helps to remember that the kanji 商しょう originally carries the meaning of “buying and selling to make a profit,” which makes the difference easier to understand.

Summary

[製品せいひん]

• Something that one has manufactured or processed themselves.
• Something that is manufactured and available in the market up until it is sold.

[商品しょうひん]

• Something that one has not manufactured or processed themselves.
• Something that is in the market and available for sale.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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