店番 vs. 店員 - are these synonymous?


Does 店番{みせばん} have the same meaning as 店員{てんいん}? Can these words be used
interchangeably?




店員 is a primary term for clerks of stores of any size. Workers at convenience
stores and supermarkets are typical 店員.

店番 is someone who looks after a small shop alone while the owner is away. 番 is
a kanji that means _watch_ , _keeper_ or _lookout_. 店番 usually sell items like
regular clerks, but they don't necessarily do so. Even a child or [a
dog](http://bungalowmag.jp/14301) can be a 店番 (of course this is not common).
At least in modern Japanese, 店番 doesn't refer to store clerks in general.




店員 is a primary term for clerks of stores of any size. Workers at convenience
stores and supermarkets are typical 店員.

店番 is someone who looks after a small shop alone while the owner is away. 番 is
a kanji that means _watch_ , _keeper_ or _lookout_. 店番 usually sell items like
regular clerks, but they don't necessarily do so. Even a child or [a
dog](http://bungalowmag.jp/14301) can be a 店番 (of course this is not common).
At least in modern Japanese, 店番 doesn't refer to store clerks in general.

