ショッピングセンター
shoppingu sentā[ɕo̞p̚ʲpʲĩŋɡɯ̟ sẽ̞nta̠ː]
In Japanese, the phrase "shopping center" is expressed as ショッピングセンター (shoppingu sentā).
ショッピングセンター refers to a large building or complex that contains many different stores and restaurants.
Which one should you use?
The colloquial term モール is often used interchangeably to mean a shopping mall. The term 'Shotengai' refers to a covered shopping street or an area with a variety of shops. In formal or business contexts, such as news reports or urban planning, the term 商業施設 (commercial facility) is used instead of the loanword.
How do you pronounce it?
shoppingu sentā
Did you know?
- In Japan, some ショッピングセンター are located inside railway station ticket gates, a concept known as 駅ナカ (ekinaka). This allows commuters to shop without ever leaving the station system.
- Although ショッピングセンター is used for malls, Japanese people often use the word デパート (department store) to refer to high-end complexes that provide services like gift-wrapping and basement food halls called 'depachika'.
- While ショッピングセンター is a loanword, the traditional 商店街 often feature 'shutter streets' where shops close early, leaving a long row of closed metal shutters that create a distinct urban aesthetic.
Examples in context
- ショッピングセンターはどこですか。Where's the shopping center?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the ショッピングセンター.Tatoeba #215554 by bunbuku, translation #52856 by CK
- ショッピングセンターをブラブラしたよ。We wandered round the shopping center.This sentence is useful for describing wandering around the ショッピングセンター.Tatoeba #10161379 by bunbuku, translation #248014 by CK
- 新しいショッピングセンターができた。Atarashii shoppingu sentā ga dekita.A new shopping center has opened.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are deciding where to go for the day.
- 陽太 Yota今日はショッピングセンターに行こうか。Kyō wa shoppingu sentā ni ikō ka.Shall we go to the shopping center today?
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。何を買いますか。Ii desu ne. Nani o kaimasu ka.That sounds good. What will you buy?
- 陽太 Yota靴を買い替えたいんだ。Kutsu o kaikaetai n da.I want to replace my shoes.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、急いで出発しましょう。Jā, isoide shuppatsu shimashō.Then, let's leave quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ショッピングセンター, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
