Japanese dictionary
How to say "bookstore" in Japanese
本屋ほんや · hon'ya
"Bookstore" in Japanese is 本屋 (hon'ya) in conversation, and 書店 (shoten) in store names and writing.
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Ways to say "bookstore" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 本屋ほんや · hon'ya | Bookstore. Everyday word. |
| 書店しょてん · shoten | Bookstore. Formal; used in store names. |
How to use it
Japanese bookstores often wrap books with a paper cover. The clerk may ask カバーはおかけしますか, "Would you like a cover?"
A secondhand bookstore is 古本屋 (furuhon'ya).
Example sentences
- 駅前の本屋で雑誌を買いました。Ekimae no hon'ya de zasshi o kaimashita.I bought a magazine at the bookstore in front of the station.
- この近くに本屋はありますか。Kono chikaku ni hon'ya wa arimasu ka.Is there a bookstore near here?
- 大きな書店には英語の本もあります。Ōkina shoten ni wa Eigo no hon mo arimasu.Large bookstores also have English books.
- カバーはおかけしますか。Kabā wa o-kake shimasu ka.Would you like a book cover?
- 神保町は古本屋の町です。Jinbōchō wa furuhon'ya no machi desu.Jimbocho is a neighborhood of secondhand bookstores.
- 昼休みに本屋に寄りました。Hiruyasumi ni hon'ya ni yorimashita.I stopped by a bookstore during lunch.
Kanji in this word
Questions
What does カバーはおかけしますか mean?
Japanese bookstores offer to wrap your book in a free paper cover. Say お願いします for yes or 大丈夫です for no.
What is the difference between 本屋 and 書店?
Both mean bookstore. 本屋 (hon'ya) is everyday speech, and 書店 (shoten) is formal and used in store names.
Using Japanese at work?
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