Engage in Japanese Conversation: Useful Expressions for Shopping

Do you enjoy shopping? Where do you usually go?
Today, we’ll explore useful Japanese phrases to help you understand what others say and express what you need while shopping.

・買い物をする (kaimono wo suru) – to go shopping
・〇〇を買う (〇〇 wo kau) – to buy 〇〇
・ショッピングする (shoppingu suru) – to go shopping
・ウインドーショッピング (uindō shoppingu) – window shopping
・〇〇を売る (〇〇 wo uru) – to sell 〇〇
・値段 (nedan) / 価格 (kakaku) – price
・値段が高い (nedan ga takai) – the price is high / expensive
Example:日本は果物の値段が高いです。(Nihon wa kudamono no nedan ga takai desu) – The price of fruit is high in Japan.
・値段が安い (Nedan ga yasui) – the price is low / cheap
Example:日本の100円ショップの品物は安いです。(Nihon no hyaku-en shoppu no shinamono wa yasui desu) – Items at Japan’s 100-yen shops are cheap.
・売り切れ (urikire) – sold out (meaning the item is no longer available in the store)
Example:申し訳ございません。この品物は売り切れです。(Mōshiwake gozaimasen. Kono shinamono wa urikire desu) – We’re sorry, this item is sold out.
・割引 (waribiki) – discount (the price is reduced from the original)
1割引 (ichi-waribiki) means 10% off.
・半額 (hangaku) – half price (50% off from the original price)
・セール (sēru ) – sale / バーゲン (bāgen) – bargain (When prices are lowered and items are sold at a discount)

These are useful phrases to use when you’re looking for something specific:
・すみません、〇〇はどこにありますか。(Sumimasen, 〇〇 wa doko ni arimasuka) – Excuse me, where can I find 〇〇?
・〇〇をさがしています。(〇〇 wo sagashite imasu) – I’m looking for 〇〇.
・〇〇がほしいです。(〇〇 ga hoshii desu) – I’m looking to buy 〇〇.
・これはなんですか。(Kore wa nandesuka) – What is this? (Used when you see something for the first time and don’t know what it is.)

Sample Dialogue:
Customer: すみません、これはなんですか。(Sumimasen kore wa nandesuka) – Excuse me, what is this?
Clerk: ようかんです。甘いゼリーのようなお菓子です。(Yokan desu. Amai zerī no youna okashi desu) – It’s yōkan. It’s a sweet, jelly-like confection.
Customer: お酒が入っていますか。(Osake ga haitte imasuka) – Does it contain alcohol?
Clerk: いいえ、入っていません。(Iie haitte imasen) – No, it does not.

Here are some phrases you can use when you want to try something before making a purchase.
If you’re unsure whether shoes or clothes fit you, or if it’s something you’ve never eaten or drunk before, you’ll probably want to try it first. In such cases, you can use the phrase 「～てもいいですか」 (～temo ii desu ka?), which means “Is it okay if I ～?” or “May I ～?”

Clothing (Shirts, Coats, Sweaters, etc.)
・着てもいいですか。 (Kitemo iidesuka) – May I try this on?

Footwear & Bottoms (Shoes, Socks, Pants, Skirts, etc.)
・履いてもいいですか。(Haitemo iidesuka) – May I try these on?

Hats
・かぶってもいいですか。(Kabuttemo iidesuka) – May I try this on?

Dishes & Accessories
・触ってもいいですか。(Sawattemo iidesuka) – May I touch this?

Food & Drinks
・食べてみてもいいですか。(Tabete mitemo iidesuka) – May I try eating this?
・飲んでみてもいいですか。(Nonde mitemo iidesuka) – May I try drinking this?

「～てもいいですか」(～temo ii desu ka?) can also be expressed in the following ways:
・試着 (Shichaku) – Trying on (clothes or accessories)
着てみます (Kite mimasu) / 履いてみます (Haite mimasu) / 被ってみます (Kabutte mimasu) – I’ll try it on (clothes or accessories)
・試食 (Shisyoku) – Tasting food
食べてみます (Tabete mimasu) – I’ll have a taste.
・試飲 (Shiin) – Tasting a drink
飲んでみます (Nonnde mimasu) – I’ll have a sip.

If a store clerk is being talkative and you’re feeling uncomfortable or still undecided about your purchase, here are some useful phrases you can use:
・見ているだけです。(Miteiru dake desu) – I’m just looking.
・他のも見てみます。(Hokano mo mite mimasu) – I’ll take a look at some other items too.
・ちょっと考えます。(Chotto kangaemasu) – I’ll think about it a little.

Here are some phrases you can use to ask a clerk when you want to see the same product in different colors or sizes:
・ほかの色がありますか。(Hokano iro ga arimasuka) – Do you have this in another color?
・大きいサイズがありますか。(Ookii saizu ga arimasuka) – Do you have a larger size?
・小さいサイズがありますか。(Chiisai saizu ga arimasuka) – Do you have a smaller size?

Once you’ve decided what to buy, you can say:
・これをください。(Kore wo kudasai) – I’ll take this one.

The places where payments are made are called レジ (reji) or お会計 (okaikei).

Once you’ve decided what to buy, you make the payment. Please note that some stores in Japan only accept cash, while others may not accept cash at all.

When You Want to Use a Credit Card
・カードでいいですか。(Kādo de ii desuka) – Can I pay with card?

Paying for Bags
In Japan, it is common for stores to charge a fee for shopping bags.
・袋に入れてください。(Fukuro ni irete kudasai) – Please put it in a bag.
・袋はいりません。(Fukuro wa irimasen) – I don’t need a bag.

When You Want Your Purchase Wrapped as a Gift
・包んでください。(Tsutsunde kudasai) – Please wrap it.
・ギフト用にしてください。(Gifuto-yō ni shite kudasai) – Please wrap it as a gift.

Responding to “Do You Need 〇〇?” at the Checkout
When you want the item:
・はい、ください。(Hai, kudasai) – Yes, please.
When you don’t want the item:
・いいえ、いりません。(Iie, irimasen) – No, thank you.

Examples of 〇〇:
・スプーン (supūn) – Spoon
・フォーク (fōku) – Fork
・はし (hashi) – Chopsticks
・ストロー (sutorō) – Straw
・おしぼり (oshibori) – Wet towel
・レシート (reshiito) – Receipt

Many people enjoy shopping at various stores while staying in Japan, particularly convenience stores, which have gained significant popularity in recent years. You will likely discover new products with each visit, making the experience more enjoyable. We hope you also find pleasure in your shopping.

The other day, one of my students said,
“I was invited out for drinks, but I said no because I wanted to take your Japanese lesson.”
Balancing Japanese study with a busy, fun-filled life isn’t always easy. Even on days when you feel like skipping class, we do our best to make you think,
“But… I still want to go and learn Japanese after all.”
Through consistent study and thoughtful lesson planning, we strive to keep you motivated.
Above all, we offer personalized support — tailoring our approach to meet each student’s individual needs. I highly encourage you to take a look at our classes. We look forward to seeing you!