“To buy” in Japanese is 買う (かう), pronounced kau.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To buy. The negative changes う to わ: 買わない. Shopping is 買い物.
Example sentences
- 新しい靴を買いました。あたらしいくつをかいました。I bought new shoes.
- 何を買いたいですか。なにをかいたいですか。What do you want to buy?
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 買う. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 買う かう | buy |
| Polite present | 買います かいます | buy |
| Polite negative | 買いません かいません | don’t buy |
| Polite past | 買いました かいました | past of “buy” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 買わない かわない | don’t buy (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 買った かった | past of “buy” (casual) |
| て-form | 買って かって | buy and… / please buy (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 買いたい かいたい | want to buy |
Quick practice
Test yourself0/3
What does {{買う}} mean?
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Which word means “to study”?
Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to buy in Japanese?
To buy in Japanese is 買う (かう), pronounced “kau”.
How do you write to buy in Japanese?
It's written 買う with kanji, or かう in hiragana. Both are read kau.
Is 買う on the JLPT?
Yes. 買う (kau) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.