What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tradesmen
Example
The tradesman fixed the leaky faucet in my bathroom. [tradesman: noun]
Example
He learned his trade as a tradesman and now runs his own business. [trade: noun]
shopkeeper
Example
The shopkeeper greeted me warmly when I entered the store. [shopkeeper: noun]
Example
She has been a successful shopkeeper for over 20 years. [shopkeeper: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shopkeeper is more commonly used than tradesmen in everyday language. Shopkeeper is a more general term that covers a wide range of retail businesses, while tradesmen is a more specific term that refers to skilled workers in manual labor jobs.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tradesmen and shopkeeper?
Both tradesmen and shopkeeper are relatively informal terms, but shopkeeper may be slightly more formal due to its association with owning and managing a business.
