市場(いちば)

市場(いちば) refers to a physical marketplace where goods are bought and sold, especially fresh food.

Critical reading distinction

• 市場(いちば): physical marketplace (shops, stalls, markets you visit)
• 市場(しじょう): economic market (stock market, market forces, market share)

This is a common reading question for learners. The physical place uses いちば; the abstract economic concept uses しじょう.

Types

• 魚(さかな)市場(いちば): fish market
• 青物(あおもの)市場(いちば): vegetable market
• 朝(あさ)市(いち) / 朝(あさ)市場(いちば): morning market
• 闇(やみ)市(いち): black market

Common patterns

• 市場(いちば)で買(か)う: to buy at the market
• 市場(いちば)に出回(でまわ)る: to appear on the market