Shopping in Japan: Yen, Konbini and Useful Phrases
Japanese words and phrases for shops, prices, paying and the convenience stores (konbini) that are part of daily life.
Shopping in Japan is pleasant and predictable, and staff are polite. A few phrases will help you feel at ease.
Places
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 店 (みせ, mise) | shop |
| コンビニ (konbini) | convenience store |
| スーパー (sūpā) | supermarket |
| デパート (depāto) | department store |
| 薬局 (やっきょく) | pharmacy |
| 本屋 (ほんや) | bookshop |
| 市場 (いちば) | market |
Asking prices
- これはいくらですか。 — How much is this?
- 全部でいくらですか。 — How much is it altogether?
- もっと安いのはありますか。 — Is there a cheaper one?
- 高いですね。 — That's expensive, isn't it.
In the shop
- これをください。 — I'll take this.
- 見てもいいですか。 — May I look?
- 試着してもいいですか。 — May I try it on?
- 大きいサイズはありますか。 — Do you have a bigger size?
- 袋はいりません。 — I don't need a bag.
Paying
- カードで払えますか。 — Can I pay by card?
- 現金で払います。 — I'll pay in cash.
- レシートをください。 — Receipt, please.
- お釣り (おつり) — change
At the register, you may hear ポイントカードはお持ちですか。 (Do you have a point card?). Simply say いいえ (no) if not.
Words to know
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 円 (えん) | yen |
| 税込み (ぜいこみ) | tax included |
| 税別 (ぜいべつ) | tax excluded |
| セール | sale |
| 割引 (わりびき) | discount |
| 現金 (げんきん) | cash |
| レジ | register |
Konbini life
Convenience stores are found in almost every neighbourhood and sell food, drinks and everyday items. Common phrases:
- 温めますか。 — Shall I heat it? (for a lunch box)
- お願いします。 — Yes please.
Tax-free shopping
Some shops offer tax-free shopping for visitors. Look for 免税 (めんぜい, menzei) signs and bring your passport.
Manners
- Place money on the small tray instead of handing it over.
- A small nod and ありがとうございます is a polite reply when you receive your change.
Tips
- Learn "いくらですか".
- Recognise 税込み and 税別.
- Use the dictionary for shopping words.
English Japanese Dictionary
Offline English–Japanese dictionary with kanji, hiragana and katakana support
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