Meaning and Usage
"買い物" (かいもの) means "shopping" or "buying things." It is a common noun used in everyday conversation to talk about the activity of purchasing goods.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "買い物" when people talk about going to supermarkets, malls, or markets. It can refer to buying groceries, clothes, or any items.
Typical Collocations
- 買い物に行く (go shopping): Used when someone is going out to buy things.
- 買い物をする (do shopping): Describes the act of shopping.
- 買い物リスト (shopping list): A list of items to buy.
Register and Politeness
"買い物" is neutral and polite enough for daily conversation. It is not formal but perfectly acceptable in most social situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "買い物" with the verb "買う" (to buy). Remember, "買い物" is a noun referring to the activity, so it often pairs with verbs like "する" (to do). For example, "買い物をする" means "to do shopping."