ショッピングセンター
shoppingu sentā[ɕo̞p̚ʲpʲĩŋɡɯ̟ sẽ̞nta̠ː]
The English phrase shopping centre is translated into Japanese as ショッピングセンター (shoppingu sentā). Wiktionary also lists ショッピングモール (shoppingu mōru) and モール (mōru).
Meaning: large retail outlet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ショッピングセンター | shoppingu sentā | [ɕo̞p̚ʲpʲĩŋɡɯ̟ sẽ̞nta̠ː] (narrow) |
| ショッピングモール | shoppingu mōru | [ɕo̞p̚ʲpʲĩŋɡɯ̟ mo̞ːɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| モール | mōru |
The term is used to describe a large retail outlet.
Which one should you use?
ショッピングセンター is the direct katakana transliteration of 'shopping centre' and is used for any large retail facility. ショッピングモール specifically refers to a 'shopping mall', often implying a larger, more modern complex or an open-air layout compared to a standard shopping centre. Additionally, ショッピングモール may be used when referring to large shopping centre complexes.
How do you pronounce it?
shoppingu sentā
Did you know?
- In Japan, many ショッピングセンター are integrated directly into massive railway stations, allowing commuters to shop without ever leaving the station complex.
- While it sounds like a modern English term, the word モール (mōru) can also be traced back to the Portuguese word 'mogol'.
- The term デパート (departo) is frequently used as a primary shopping destination, referring specifically to high-end department stores rather than general malls.
Examples in context
- 私たちはショッピングセンターで買い物をします。We go shopping at the shopping centre.
- 今日デパートで買い物に行こうよ。Let's go shopping at the shopping centre today.
- 私の町には素敵な商店街があります。My town has a lovely shopping centre.
- 新しいショッピングセンターができました。Atarashii shoppingu sentaa ga dekimashita.A new shopping centre has opened.
- そのショッピングセンターはとても広いです。Sono shoppingu sentaa wa totemo hiroi desu.That shopping centre is very large.
- 週末はショッピングセンターへ行きましょう。Shuumatsu wa shoppingu sentaa e ikimashou.Let's go to the shopping centre this weekend.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning their weekend outing.
- 陽太 Yota今週末、ショッピングセンターへ行きませんか？Konshuumatsu, shoppingu sentaa e ikimasen ka?Would you like to go to the shopping centre this weekend?
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。どこに行きますか？Ii desu ne. Doko ni ikimasu ka?That sounds good. Where shall we go?
- 陽太 Yota駅前のショッピングセンターはどうですか？Ekimae no shoppingu sentaa wa dou desu ka?How about the shopping centre in front of the station?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、そこに行きましょう！Hai, soko ni ikimashou!Yes, let's go there!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shopping centre” translations and entries ショッピングセンター, ショッピングモール, モール, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ショッピングセンター, ショッピングモール, モール, CC BY-SA 4.0.
