The Japanese language has several words for “buy,” each conveying a slightly different nuance. The most common term is “kau,” which is used for general purchases of goods or services. For more formal transactions, “tsukau” is used, while “motsu” indicates acquiring something for ownership. Additionally, “eru” is used to describe the act of choosing and purchasing an item.
Buying in Japanese: The Ultimate Guide
When it comes to shopping in Japan, you’ll need to know how to say “buy” in Japanese. The most common word for “buy” is 買う (kau), which is pronounced “cow.”
Conjugation of 買う
- Present tense: 買います (kaimasu)
- Past tense: 買いました (kaimashita)
- Future tense: 買いましょう (kaimasho)
Usage of 買う
- With nouns: Simply put “買う” after the noun you want to buy.
- 例えば: りんごを 2 つ買います。 (Ringo wo 2 tsu kaimasu.) – I will buy 2 apples.
- With counters: If the noun has a specific counter, use the correct counter before “買う.”
- 例えば: パンを 3 個買いました。 (Pan wo 3 ko kaimashita.) – I bought 3 pieces of bread.
- With adjectives: If you want to describe the quality of the item you’re buying, use an adjective before “買う.”
- 例えば: きれいな花を買いたい。 (Kirei na hana wo kaitai.) – I want to buy pretty flowers.
Additional Vocabulary
- 買物をする (kaimono wo suru): to go shopping
- 買い物かご (kaimono kago): shopping cart
- レジ (reji): checkout counter
- 袋 (fukuro): bag
- 領収書 (ryoushuusho): receipt
Helpful Tips
- Be polite: When shopping in Japan, it’s important to be polite and respectful. Use formal language when speaking to shop assistants.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you can’t find what you’re looking for or need help with something, don’t be afraid to ask a shop assistant for help.
- Carry cash: Many smaller shops in Japan only accept cash, so it’s always a good idea to carry some yen with you.
Table: Examples of Buying in Japanese
| Item | Counter | Japanese Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 個 (ko) | りんごを 2 個買います。 | I will buy 2 apples. |
| Bread | 個 (ko) | パンを 3 個買いました。 | I bought 3 pieces of bread. |
| Flower | 本 (hon) | きれいな花を 5 本買いたい。 | I want to buy 5 pretty flowers. |
| T-shirt | 枚 (mai) | T シャツを 2 枚買いました。 | I bought 2 T-shirts. |
| Book | 冊 (satsu) | 本を 3 冊買います。 | I will buy 3 books. |
Question 1:
What is the Japanese word for “buy”?
Answer:
The Japanese word for “buy” is 買う (kau).
Question 2:
How do you conjugate the Japanese word for “buy”?
Answer:
The Japanese word for “buy” is conjugated as follows:
- Present tense: 買う (kau)
- Past tense: 買った (katta)
- Future tense: 買うだろう (kau darou)
Question 3:
What are some common phrases that use the Japanese word for “buy”?
Answer:
Some common phrases that use the Japanese word for “buy” include:
- 買うもの (kau mono): something to buy
- 買い物をする (kaimono o suru): to go shopping
- 買える (kaeru): to be able to buy
And there you have it, folks! The next time you’re out shopping in Japan, you’ll know exactly how to make your purchases without fumbling over the words. I appreciate you taking the time to read my article. If you have any more Japanese-related questions, feel free to drop by again. Until next time, sayonara and happy shopping!