Readings: バイ (Onyomi), かう (Kunyomi)
Meaning: to buy
買 is a useful kanji for everyday life in Japan. It appears in words and expressions related to shopping, purchases, and consumer actions, such as 買う (to buy), 買い物 (shopping), and 買い手 (buyer).
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
| Radical | 貝 (shell/money) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Grade | 2nd Grade |
Readings
| Onyomi | バイ |
|---|---|
| Kunyomi | かう |
How to Write – Stroke Order
買 consists of the top part for “net/cover” and the bottom radical 貝, which represents money or valuables. The character captures the act of spending money or buying something.
- Start with the top “net” component
- Finish with the 貝 radical at the bottom
Example Sentences
Japanese: 本を買いました。
Kana: ほんをかいました。
Romaji: Hon o kaimashita.
English: I bought a book.
Japanese: スーパーで野菜を買う。
Kana: スーパーでやさいをかう。
Romaji: Suupaa de yasai o kau.
English: I buy vegetables at the supermarket.
Japanese: 新しいくつを買いたいです。
Kana: あたらしいくつをかいたいです。
Romaji: Atarashii kutsu o kaitai desu.
English: I want to buy new shoes.
Vocabulary Using 買
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 買う | かう | to buy |
| 買い物 | かいもの | shopping |
| 買い手 | かいて | buyer |
| 買収 | ばいしゅう | acquisition, buyout |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary
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