Learning how to say “to buy” in Japanese will greatly assist you while shopping or discussing purchasing activities with locals. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express this action, providing various tips, examples, and even a few regional variations. So, let’s dive in and expand your Japanese vocabulary for buying!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “To Buy”
When speaking formally in Japanese, it is important to use polite language. Here are several ways to express “to buy” in formal situations:
1.1 買います (kaimasu)
This is the most standard way to say “to buy” in Japanese. The verb 買います (kaimasu) can be used in various settings, such as while talking to store staff or engaging in formal conversations about purchasing.
Example:
クリスマスプレゼントを買います。
(Kurisumasu purezento o kaimasu.)
I will buy a Christmas present.
1.2 お買いになります (okaeninarimasu)
This phrase is often used in polite and formal situations, particularly while speaking to customers. The honorific prefix お (o) is added to the verb 買いになります (kai ni narimasu) to signify respect towards the listener.
Example:
どの色をお買いになりますか？
(Dono iro wo okaeninarimasu ka?)
Which color would you like to buy?
2. Informal Ways to Say “To Buy”
Informal language is commonly used among friends, family, or when speaking to younger individuals. Here are a few informal ways to express “to buy” in Japanese:
2.1 買う (kau)
買う (kau) is the casual form of “to buy” in Japanese. It is suitable for everyday conversations among friends and peers.
Example:
明日、漫画を買うつもりだ。
(Ashita, manga o kau tsumori da.)
I plan to buy manga tomorrow.
2.2 贅沢に買っちゃう (zeitaku ni kacchau)
This informal phrase includes the word 贅沢 (zeitaku), meaning “luxurious.” Adding it to 買っちゃう (kacchau), the casual form of 買ってしまう (katte shimau), emphasizes indulging in luxurious or unnecessary purchases.
Example:
このドレス、贅沢に買っちゃったんだ。
(Kono doresu, zeitaku ni kacchattan da.)
I ended up buying this dress indulgently.
3. Regional Variations
Japanese is spoken across different regions, and some variations may exist in local dialects. However, when it comes to expressing “to buy,” the standard terms mentioned in the previous sections are widely understood throughout Japan. It is not necessary to learn specific regional variations for this particular keyword.
4. Additional Tips
To enhance your understanding of how to say “to buy” in Japanese, consider these additional tips:
- Expand your vocabulary by learning words related to shopping, such as “store” (店舗, tenpo) or “price” (値段, nedan).
- Politeness is highly valued in Japanese culture, so using formal expressions when interacting with strangers or in formal settings is recommended.
- When in doubt, it is better to err on the side of being more polite until you are comfortable with the appropriate level of language for a given situation.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now learned multiple formal and informal ways to say “to buy” in Japanese. With this knowledge, you can confidently engage in shopping activities and converse about purchasing in various situations. Remember to adjust your language based on the formality of the context and the relationship with the person you are speaking to. Enjoy practicing your Japanese and have a great time exploring the vibrant shopping scene in Japan!
