買った
katta
The English word "bought" is translated into Japanese as 買った (katta).
The phrase is used to indicate that someone has acquired something by paying money for it.
Which one should you use?
While 買った is the simple and widely used casual form, 買いました is the standard and neutral way to say "bought". For more formal settings, such as professional contexts or business transactions, use 購入しました. Additionally, the informal form 買っちゃった is used to indicate that a purchase was somewhat unexpected or impulsive.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
買った is an informal form used in casual conversation with friends or family. For a standard and neutral tone, use 買いました. In formal or professional situations, use 購入しました.
How does it change in a sentence?
買った is the past tense of the dictionary form 買う.
How do you pronounce it?
katta
Did you know?
- In many Japanese stores, instead of asking if you 'bought' something, staff might use the verb お買い上げ (o-kaiage) to describe your purchase, which focuses on the 'lifting' or 'taking up' of the goods.
- The formal version 購入しました uses the kanji 購, which is also used in the word 購読, meaning 'to subscribe' to a magazine or newspaper.
- Japanese speakers often omit the object of the sentence, saying only 買った to mean 'I bought it' if the item is obvious from context.
Examples in context
- 傘を買った。I bought an umbrella.This sentence is useful for practicing the form 買った.Tatoeba #8582297 by small_snow, translation #1712948 by Amastan
- すいか買った？Have you bought a watermelon?Tatoeba #215154 by bunbuku, translation #52452 by CK
- パン買ったよ。I bought some bread.Tatoeba #8933576 by small_snow, translation #5264264 by CK
- インターネットで本を購入しました。I bought a book online.
- さっきスーパーでりんごを買ったよ。I bought apples at the supermarket earlier.
- この新しいゲームゲットした！I got this new game!
- 453 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about a new book.
- 美咲 Misakiその本、どこで買ったの？Sono hon, doko de katta no?Where did you buy that book?
- 陽太 Yota駅前の本屋で買ったよ。Ekimae no honya de katta yo.I bought it at the bookstore in front of the station.
- 美咲 Misakiいいな。私も買いたい！Ii na. Watashi mo kaitai!Nice. I want to buy it too!
- 陽太 Yotaおすすめだから、ぜひ買ってみて。Osusume dakara, zehi katte mite.I recommend it, so please try buying it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
