Translation of Japanese word "買う" to English
買う
かう
[kau]
IPA: /kaɯ/
Meaning
VerbTo obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods.
How to use
買う (kau) — 'to buy'. Group 1 verb. かいます (polite), かった (past). 何を買いましたか？ — What did you buy? 買い物 (kaimono) — shopping. Fundamental vocabulary item used across formal and informal Japanese speech and writing.
🇬🇧 English
to buy
Pronunciation Guide
Japanese Kanji: 買う
Phonetic Reading (Hiragana): かう
Romaji Transcription: kau
Example Sentences
新しい靴を買います。
あたらしい くつを かいます。
I will buy it.
本屋で本を買います。
ほんやで ほんを かいます。
I will buy it.
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Common phrases
- 買い物をする— to go shopping
- 買い物リスト— shopping list
More Core Verbs words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #48 in Japanese
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Japanese word "買う" mean?▼
The Japanese word "買う" means "to buy" in English.
How do you pronounce the Japanese word "買う"?▼
The word "買う" is read as "かう" (kau). You can hear the correct audio pronunciation by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see a usage guide or example with "買う"?▼
Yes, here is a practical context/example: "新しい靴を買います。".
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