Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Buy" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "buy", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
買います
かいます (kaimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
買う
かう (kau)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "buy" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 買います and 買う.
In Japanese, 買います (かいます (kaimasu)) is typically associated with "to buy" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 買う.
On the other hand, 買う (かう (kau)) maps to "to buy" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Commonly used for purchasing items. Polite form is 買います. A literal translation of "buy" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "買います"
新しい服をデパートで買います。
I will buy new clothes at the department store.
Bilingual Context for "買う"
週末に新しい本を買いました。
I bought a new book on the weekend.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "新しい服をデパートで ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I will buy new clothes at the department store.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "買います" fits here because it means "to buy" in the context of: "I will buy new clothes at the department store.". "買う" represents "to buy".