買: the kanji for buy
買 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means buy. Below are its readings, 7 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
買 is written in 12 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
買 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 7 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
バイ (bai)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 売買ばいばい · baibai | buying and selling |
| 購買こうばい · kōbai | purchasing |
| 買収ばいしゅう · baishū | acquisition |
かう (kau)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 買うかう · kau | to buy |
| 買い物かいもの · kaimono | shopping |
| 買い手かいて · kaite | buyer |
| 買い替えかいかえ · kaikae | replacement purchase |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 駅の近くで買い物をしました。Eki no chikaku de kaimono o shimashita.I went shopping near the station.
- 新しいパソコンを買いました。Atarashii pasokon o kaimashita.I bought a new computer.
- その会社は海外の企業を買収しました。Sono kaisha wa kaigai no kigyō o baishū shimashita.That company acquired an overseas firm.
- スマホの買い替えを考えています。Sumaho no kaikae o kangaete imasu.I'm thinking about getting a new smartphone.
- 不動産の売買には時間がかかります。Fudōsan no baibai ni wa jikan ga kakarimasu.Buying and selling real estate takes time.
- 帰りにパンを買ってきます。Kaeri ni pan o katte kimasu.I'll pick up some bread on the way home.
Questions about 買
How many strokes does 買 have?
買 is written in 12 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 買?
The on readings are bai (バイ). The kun readings are kau (かう).
What is the difference between 買う and 購入する?
買う (kau) is the everyday verb to buy. 購入する (kōnyū suru) is more formal and is used on websites, in contracts and in business, as in ご購入ありがとうございます (thank you for your purchase).
What JLPT level is 買?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Work and money
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 買
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.