Overview
Whether you're grabbing a quick snack at a 24-hour convenience store or browsing the floors of a massive department store, handling money is a daily necessity. At the N4 level, you move beyond simple nouns and begin to navigate real-world transactions. This means understanding return policies, asking for specific store sections, and managing bank details. This guide covers the essential vocabulary and phrases you need to shop confidently and handle your finances like a local. We have included practical examples and cultural insights to help you avoid common mistakes at the register.
Essential Words
店と買い物の場所 (Shops and Locations)
売り場
uriba
— Sales counter / Department / Section
Example: 靴売り場はどこですか？ (Where is the shoe department?)
屋上
okujou
— Rooftop
Note: Many Japanese department stores have gardens or small shrines on the 屋上.
近所
kinjo
— Neighborhood / Nearby vicinity
食料品
shokuryouhin
— Groceries / Foodstuffs
日用品
nichiyouhin
— Daily necessities (soap, towels, etc.)
お金と支払い (Money and Payment)
値段
nedan
— Price / Cost
お釣り
otsuri
— Change (money back)
領収書
ryoushuusho
— Formal Receipt (often used for business expenses)
現金
genkin
— Cash
財布
saifu
— Wallet
手数料
tesuuryou
— Service fee / ATM charge
貯金する
chokin suru
— To save money
銀行口座
ginkou kouza
— Bank account
買い物の動作 (Shopping Actions)
選ぶ
erabu
— To choose
払う
harau
— To pay
込む
komu
— To be crowded
下げる
sageru
— To lower (the price)
足りる
tariru
— To be enough / sufficient
比べる
kuraberu
— To compare
売り切れる
urikireru
— To be sold out
商品の状態 (Product Condition)
割引
waribiki
— Discount
無料
muryou
— Free of charge
半額
hangaku
— Half price
Key Phrases
Memorizing these common phrases will make your shopping trips much smoother. Pay attention to how the staff responds to you!
試着してもいいですか。
shichaku shite mo ii desu ka.
May I try this on?
クレジットカードで払えますか。
kurejitto kaado de haraemasu ka.
Can I pay with a credit card?
領収書をお願いします。
ryoushuusho o onegaishimasu.
May I have a receipt, please?
もっと安いのはありますか。
motto yasui no wa arimasu ka.
Do you have any cheaper ones?
袋はいりません。
fukuro wa irimasen.
I don't need a bag.
全部でいくらですか。
zenbu de ikura desu ka.
How much is it in total?
現金でお願いします。
genkin de onegaishimasu.
I'll pay with cash, please.
銀行でお金を下ろします。
ginkou de okane o oroshimasu.
I'm going to withdraw money at the bank.
Cultural Notes
Japanese retail culture has a few specific rules that might surprise you. First, keep an eye out for point cards. Almost every shop has one, and the staff will almost always ask: 'ポイントカードはお持ちですか？' (Do you have a point card?). If you don't, a simple 'arimasen' or 'daijoubu desu' works fine.
When paying, look for a small tray (カルトン) near the register. It is polite to place your cash or card on this tray instead of handing it directly to the cashier. Also, be prepared for Keigo (honorific language). Even at a conbini, staff use very polite phrases like '少々お待ちください' (Please wait a moment). Don't worry if you don't understand every word; usually, they are just confirming your purchase or asking about bags and receipts.
Related Articles
- Post Office & Bank (Vocabulary N4)
- Jobs & Occupations (Vocabulary N4)
- City & Directions (Vocabulary N4)
- How to Talk About Hobbies & Sports (Vocabulary N4)
- Travel & Transportation (Vocabulary N4)
- Restaurant & Ordering (Vocabulary N4)
Practice Tips
To get comfortable with these terms, try these three steps:
- Listen to Store Announcements: Supermarkets often announce daily specials. Listen for words like '特売' (special sale) and '割引' (discount).
- Narrate Your Day: When you pay for things, say the steps in your head. "Now I'm taking out my 財布, now I'm asking for the お釣り."
- Role-play: Practice declining a plastic bag or asking to try on clothes until you can say it without hesitating.
Small, daily efforts will make these words second nature by the time you sit for the N4 exam.