買い物リスト
kaimono risuto
The English phrase "shopping list" is 買い物リスト (kaimono risuto) in Japanese.
A shopping list is a list of items that need to be bought. When writing items on such a list, you can denote quantities by placing the number after the item, such as りんご 3個 for three apples.
Meaning: list of items that need to be bought (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 買い物リスト is the direct translation, the alternative 買い物メモ (kaimono memo) is also commonly used. This alternative often implies a quick, handwritten note rather than a formal list.
How do you pronounce it?
kaimono risuto
Did you know?
- In Japanese supermarkets, you will often see 'shopping lists' for the store itself called 特売品 (tokubaihin). These are lists of specially discounted items for the day.
- The counter パック (pakku) is frequently used on shopping lists for items like eggs or milk, showing how English loanwords integrate into Japanese counting systems.
- The word 買い物 (kaimono) comes from the verb 買う (kau) meaning 'to buy' and the noun 物 (mono) meaning 'thing'. While it translates to 'shopping', it literally means 'buying things'.
Examples in context
- 買い物リストの中身は全部確認した？Did you check all the items on the shopping list?This sentence is useful for checking if someone has verified all the items on the 買い物リスト.Tatoeba #9926689 by bunbuku, translation #282506 by CK
- 買い物リスト（かいものリスト）を見（み）て、必要（ひつよう）なものを買（か）いに行（い）きます。I will go shopping, looking at my shopping list to see what I need.
- 買い物リストを書いておきました。Kaimono risuto o kaite okimashita.I have written down a shopping list.
- 買い物リストを見ながら買い物をしましょう。Kaimono risuto o mi nagara kaimono o shimashou.Let's shop while looking at the shopping list.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are in the kitchen planning for the week.
- 健太 Kenta買い物リストに何を書く？Kaimono risuto ni nani o kaku?What should we write on the shopping list?
- 美咲 Misaki卵と牛乳を書いてください。Tamago to gyūnyū o kaite kudasai.Please write eggs and milk.
- 健太 Kentaわかった。他には何かある？Wakatta. Hoka ni nani ka aru?Got it. Is there anything else?
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、それで十分です。Iie, sore de jūbun desu.No, that's enough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shopping list” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
