Japanese word

買う

Pronunciation

Romajikau

Meaning

  • verbbuy

Example

店でりんごを買います。mise de ri n go o ka i ma su

I buy apples at the store.

Illustration for 買う (buy)

More examples

新しいえんぴつを買います。atara shi i e n pi tsu o ka i ma su

I buy a new pencil.

必要なものだけを買います。hitsu yō na mo no da ke o ka i ma su

I buy only what I need.

Core concept

It centers on giving money or another accepted payment to obtain something wanted.

Common phrases

  • 服を買うfuku o ka u

    buy clothes

  • 食べ物を買うta be mono o ka u

    buy food

  • まとめて買うma to me te ka u

    buy in bulk

Similar words

購入するkōnyūsuru: To obtain something by paying for it, often in a formal context.
手に入れるteniireru: To get something into one's possession, with or without paying for it.

Definition in Japanese

金銭を支払って欲しい物やサービスを手に入れる。kin sen o shi hara tte ho shi i mono ya sā bi su o te ni i re ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 買う (kau) is a native word with no known compound structure, and older Japanese writes it as 買ふ (kafu); its basic meaning is obtaining goods in exchange for payment.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, the place of purchase is often marked by で (de), while the item bought is commonly marked by を (o).

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word