Translation guide
The act of purchasing something. In Japanese, the most common way to express 'buying' is with the verb 買う (kau). However, depending on context, other verbs like 購入する (kounyuu suru) for formal situations or 買い物 (kaimono) for shopping may be more appropriate.
To buy something in everyday conversation.
The standard verb for 'to buy'. Used in casual and polite speech.
昨日、新しい本を買った。
I bought a new book yesterday.
どこでそれを買いましたか。
Where did you buy that?
Formal verb for 'to purchase'. Common in business, official documents, or when speaking politely about a significant purchase.
新製品を購入しました。
We purchased the new product.
Noun meaning 'shopping'. Often used with する to mean 'to go shopping' or 'to do shopping'.
今日は買い物に行きます。
I'm going shopping today.
To refer to the act of shopping, browsing, or purchasing goods, often for pleasure.
The most common way to say 'to go shopping' or 'to do shopping'.
週末に買い物をしました。
I did some shopping on the weekend.
Loanword from English, often used for leisure shopping, especially in compounds like ショッピングモール (shopping mall).
ショッピングを楽しみました。
I enjoyed shopping.
To express purchasing in a business, legal, or technical context.
Noun meaning 'purchase'. Used in formal contexts.
購入価格はいくらですか。
What is the purchase price?
Refers to buying goods in bulk, often for business or wholesale. Also used for 'buying up'.
To express buying something as a gift or on behalf of someone.
Pattern meaning 'to buy something for someone'. The giver is the subject, and the recipient is marked by に.
友達にプレゼントを買ってあげた。
I bought a present for my friend.
Pattern meaning 'someone buys something for me/us'. The recipient is the speaker or in-group.
母が私に服を買ってくれた。
My mother bought me clothes.
買う is the everyday verb for 'to buy'. 購入する is more formal and often used in business or official contexts. Using 購入する in casual conversation can sound stiff.
コンビニでおにぎりを買った。
I bought a rice ball at the convenience store.
当社は新しいシステムを購入しました。
Our company purchased a new system.
Learners sometimes use 購入する in everyday speech to sound more polite, but it can come across as overly formal. Stick to 買う for daily conversation.
車を買おうと思っています。
I'm thinking of buying a car.
家を買うのは大きな決断です。
Buying a house is a big decision.
海外での買い付けを行っています。
We are doing purchasing overseas.