買う
kau[ka̠ɯ̟]
The English phrase 'buy' is translated into Japanese as 買う (kau). Wiktionary also lists 購入する (kōnyū suru).
Meaning: to obtain something with money (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 買う | kau | [ka̠ɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 購入する | kōnyū suru |
The verb is used to express the act of obtaining something with money.
Which one should you use?
買う is the standard everyday word for 'buy', whereas 購入する is a more formal, technical term often used for 'to purchase'. 購入する is particularly common in business, official documents or e-commerce contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 買う is 買った. To express that you do not buy or will not buy, use the negative form 買わない. If you want to express the desire to buy something, use 買いたい. To express the ability or possibility to buy something, use the potential form 買える, which becomes 買えます in its polite form.
How do you pronounce it?
kau
Did you know?
- The word 買う can be used to describe 'buying' a fight or an argument, meaning you are intentionally provoking someone into a conflict.
- There is a Japanese idiom 買う used to describe 'valuing' someone's character or spirit, even if they have no material wealth.
- Japanese uses the word 買う in the expression 買う気を起こさせる, which literally means 'to make someone wake up the will to buy'.
Examples in context
- それ買うよ。I'll buy it.This sentence shows how to use 買う to express a decision to buy something.Tatoeba #9119413 by small_snow, translation #2160876 by Hybrid
- トムは何を買う？What'll Tom buy?This sentence uses 買う to ask about a future purchase.Tatoeba #7577218 by Nishin, translation #12577007 by CK
- 新車を買うつもりだ。I am going to buy a new car.This sentence uses 買う to express an intention to buy something.Tatoeba #145267 by small_snow, translation #258819 by CK
- 私は新しい本を購入しました。I bought a new book.
- 彼は高級な車を購入する予定です。He plans to buy a luxury car.
- 私はクリスマスプレゼントを買いました。I bought a Christmas present.
- 社長は新しいコンピューターを買いました。The company president bought a new computer.
- 昨日、新しいスマホを買った。I bought a new smartphone yesterday.
- 友達と一緒にゲームを買いたい。I want to buy a game with my friend.
- 263 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himarí and Ren are at a convenience store.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮、飲み物を買う？Ren, nomimono o kau?Ren, do you want to buy a drink?
- 蓮 Renうん、お茶を買うよ。Un, ocha o kau yo.Yeah, I'll buy some tea.
- 陽葵 Himari私はお菓子を買うね。Watashi wa okashi o kau ne.I'll buy some snacks.
- 蓮 Renいいと思うよ。Ii to omou yo.I think that's a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buy” translations and entries 買う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
