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買い出し

B1 noun 9 min read

買い出し

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 買い出し in 30 Seconds

Explanation 買い出し in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn about basic activities. While you might first learn the word 'kaimono' for shopping, 'kaidashi' is a useful word to recognize. Think of it as 'Big Shopping.' In Japan, people often go to the supermarket to buy many things at once. This is 'kaidashi.' You can use it simply by saying '[Food] no kaidashi' (shopping for food). Even at this early stage, knowing that Japanese has different words for 'buying one thing' and 'buying many things for a purpose' helps you understand how the language works. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember: Kaidashi = Buying lots of food or supplies for a group or a week.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'kaidashi' in simple sentences using the '~ni iku' (go to do) pattern. For example, 'Kaidashi ni ikimasu' (I am going grocery shopping). This level is about daily routines, and for many Japanese people, a weekly 'kaidashi' trip is a standard routine. You can also start connecting it to specific events, like 'Party no kaidashi' (shopping for a party). It is important to distinguish this from 'kaimono.' If you go to a department store to look at clothes, use 'kaimono.' If you go to a supermarket to buy milk, eggs, bread, and vegetables for the family, 'kaidashi' is a very natural word to use and will make you sound more like a native speaker.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'kaidashi' fluently to describe preparations and logistics. You can use it with the particle 'no' to describe the purpose: 'B-B-Q no kaidashi' or 'shinsai no kaidashi' (buying supplies for a disaster). You should also understand its role as a noun that can take various verbs like 'sumaseru' (to finish) or 'tanomu' (to ask). At this stage, you are expected to understand the nuance that 'kaidashi' implies a certain level of effort or 'procurement.' It's not just a casual trip; it's a task. You might also encounter it in more formal contexts like school club activities or office event planning. Using 'kaidashi' instead of 'kaimono' in these situations shows you understand the 'objective-oriented' nature of the action.

At the B2 level, you should understand the historical and social connotations of 'kaidashi.' This includes its use in literature or news regarding post-war Japan or modern-day emergency preparedness. You should be comfortable using it in compound words like 'kaidashi-tantou' (the person in charge of shopping) or 'kaidashi-butai' (the shopping squad). You can also use it to contrast with other similar terms like 'shiire' (commercial procurement) or 'kaidame' (hoarding). At this level, you can use the word to discuss social trends, such as how the rise of large-scale retailers has changed the 'kaidashi' habits of Japanese families. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of both its practical utility and its social implications.

At the C1 level, you can use 'kaidashi' in a wide range of stylistic contexts, from casual conversation to more formal written reports. You understand the subtle differences between 'kaidashi,' 'choutatsu,' and 'kaitsuke,' and can select the appropriate term based on the register and the professionality of the situation. You might use 'kaidashi' metaphorically or in idiomatic expressions to describe the act of gathering resources or information. You are also aware of the regional variations or specific cultural events (like 'toshikoshi no kaidashi' at the end of the year) where this word is indispensable. Your mastery of this word allows you to describe complex logistical operations with the nuance of a native speaker, recognizing when the domestic 'kaidashi' is more appropriate than the technical 'procurement.'

At the C2 level, 'kaidashi' is a tool in your extensive vocabulary that you use with absolute precision. You can discuss the word's etymology, its evolution through the Showa era, and its place in the modern Japanese lexicon. You can identify the word in high-level literature where it might be used to evoke a specific historical period or a sense of communal struggle. You can also use it in complex socio-economic discussions about consumer behavior, supply chains, or urban planning (e.g., 'food deserts' making 'kaidashi' difficult for the elderly). Your understanding is not just linguistic but deeply cultural, allowing you to use 'kaidashi' to express subtle shades of meaning regarding preparation, duty, and the preservation of daily life.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

買い出し in 30 Seconds

Kaidashi means buying provisions or supplies in bulk.
It is more purposeful and task-oriented than the general word 'kaimono'.
Commonly used for weekly grocery runs or party preparations.
It implies a need to stock up on essentials like food and drinks.

The Japanese word 買い出し (kaidashi) is a nuanced noun that specifically refers to the act of going out to purchase a large quantity of supplies, groceries, or provisions. Unlike the more general term 買い物 (kaimono), which covers any kind of shopping from a single candy bar to a luxury watch, kaidashi carries the weight of necessity and volume. It implies a strategic trip to stock up, often for a specific purpose like a party, a camping trip, or preparing for a natural disaster. In the context of daily life in Japan, kaidashi is the word you use when you are heading to the supermarket with a long list to fill the pantry for the coming week. It suggests a certain level of effort and organization. You wouldn't use kaidashi if you were just popping into a convenience store for a coffee; you use it when the trunk of your car is likely to be full when you return. This word is deeply embedded in the rhythm of Japanese domestic life, reflecting the transition from the daily shopping habits of the past to the more modern practice of bulk buying at large suburban supermarkets or warehouse stores.

Scope of Use: Primarily used for groceries, beverages, and daily necessities required for sustenance or large events.
Social Nuance: Often implies a shared responsibility, such as a family or a group of friends preparing for a communal activity.

週末は一週間分の食料の買い出しに行きます。

The etymology of the word combines 買い (buying) with 出し (going out or putting out). Historically, it was used during times of food shortages, such as during and immediately after World War II, when city dwellers would travel to the countryside to buy rice and vegetables directly from farmers. This history gives the word a slight undertone of 'procurement' or 'securing supplies,' though in modern usage, it has lost its desperate connotations and is now a standard part of household vocabulary. When someone says they are going for kaidashi, they are signaling that they will be busy and potentially carrying heavy bags. It is a functional, practical word that focuses on the utility of the items being bought rather than the pleasure of the shopping experience itself. Understanding this distinction is key for learners moving from basic A2 level to the intermediate B1 level, where nuance in vocabulary becomes crucial for sounding natural.

バーベキューの買い出しを誰が担当しますか？

Using 買い出し (kaidashi) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun that frequently functions as a suru-verb (though kaidashi o suru is more common than kaidashi-suru) or as part of a compound phrase. The most common pattern is [Purpose/Event] + の + 買い出し, which specifies what the provisions are for. For example, 'camp no kaidashi' means buying supplies for a camping trip. Another frequent structure is [Time] + 分の + 買い出し, such as 'isshuukan-bun no kaidashi' (shopping for a week's worth of supplies). Because it implies a destination, it is very often followed by motion verbs like 行く (iku - to go) or 戻る (modoru - to return). When you use the particle に with kaidashi, as in 'kaidashi ni iku,' the 'ni' indicates the purpose of the movement. This is a classic B1 grammar point where nouns representing actions are used to show intent.

Common Particle Usage: Often paired with に (purpose), を (direct object), or の (possession/attribute).

明日のイベントのために、今から飲み物の買い出しに行ってきます。

In more complex sentences, kaidashi can be the subject or the object of a verb like 済ませる (sumaseru - to finish/get over with). Saying 'kaidashi o sumaseru' implies that the chore of bulk shopping was a task that needed completion. It can also be used with 頼む (tanomu - to ask/request), as in 'kaidashi o tanomu' (to ask someone to go get the supplies). In a professional or organizational context, such as a school festival (bunkasai) or an office party, the person in charge of buying things is often called the 'kaidashi-tantou' (person in charge of procurement). This shows how the word scales from small domestic tasks to organized group logistics. It is important to note that kaidashi almost always refers to physical goods, specifically consumables. You would not use it for buying clothes, software, or furniture unless those items are part of a larger 'stocking up' effort for an event.

大量の買い出しには車が欠かせません。

You will encounter the word 買い出し (kaidashi) in a variety of real-world scenarios across Japan. One of the most common places is within the family home. On a Saturday morning, a parent might say to the rest of the family, 'Kyou wa kaidashi ni iku yo!' (We're going grocery shopping today!), implying a trip to a large supermarket or a discount store like Gyomu Super or Costco. In these contexts, it signals a transition from daily life to 'preparation mode.' You will also hear it frequently in Japanese media, particularly in 'slice-of-life' anime or dramas. Characters are often shown carrying heavy plastic bags or boxes after a 'kaidashi' trip, which is a visual shorthand for them preparing for a shared meal or a celebration. It portrays a sense of community and shared effort.

Context: Disaster Preparedness: When a typhoon is approaching, news reports often mention 'kaidashi' as people rush to stores to buy water and emergency food.

台風が来る前に、非常食の買い出しを済ませておきましょう。

Another significant environment for this word is in school or club activities. During the preparation for a school festival (bunkasai) or a sports day (taiikusai), students are often assigned to the 'kaidashi-han' (shopping group). They go out to local hardware stores or supermarkets to buy materials for decorations or ingredients for food stalls. Hearing 'kaidashi' in this context evokes a feeling of youthful cooperation and the excitement of an upcoming event. Furthermore, in the workplace, if an office is hosting a 'nomikai' (drinking party) or a welcome party, the junior staff might be told to go for the 'kaidashi' of drinks and snacks. It is a word that bridges the gap between personal chores and group logistics, making it an essential part of the social fabric in Japan. Whether it's at a local vegetable stand or a giant wholesale club, kaidashi is the go-to term for serious procurement.

学園祭の準備で、木材の買い出しにホームセンターへ行った。

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 買い出し (kaidashi) as a direct synonym for 'shopping' in all contexts. While 'kaimono' and 'kaidashi' both involve purchasing things, they are not interchangeable. A common error is saying 'Kaidashi ni iku' when you are going to buy a single item like a shirt or a book. This sounds very strange to a native speaker because kaidashi implies provisions or items needed for survival or an event. If you tell a friend you are going for 'kaidashi' and come back with only a new pair of earrings, they will be confused. To avoid this, remember that kaidashi is almost always about quantity and necessity. If the goal is pleasure or browsing, always use kaimono.

Mistake: Over-usage for single items: Incorrect: 'Keshigomu no kaidashi ni iku' (Going for a bulk buy of an eraser). Correct: 'Keshigomu o kai ni iku'.

× デパートで服の買い出しをしました。
○ デパートで服の買い物をしました。

Another mistake involves the level of formality and the specific nuance of 'procurement.' Sometimes learners confuse kaidashi with 仕入れ (shiire). While both involve buying things to be used later, shiire is a strictly business term used for buying stock that will be resold or used in a professional kitchen. Kaidashi is used for personal, household, or group activities. If you use shiire for your family's weekly groceries, you sound like a business owner talking about their inventory. Conversely, if you use kaidashi in a high-level corporate procurement meeting, it might sound a bit too casual or domestic. Additionally, be careful with the verb form. While 'kaidashi-suru' is understandable, the more natural phrasing is 'kaidashi ni iku' or 'kaidashi o suru.' Finally, don't confuse it with 'uridashi' (a sale), which is the store's perspective of putting things out for sale.

× 居酒屋の店主がスーパーへ買い出しに行った（It works, but 'shiire' is more professional if it's for the restaurant stock）.

To truly master the vocabulary around shopping and procurement, it is helpful to compare 買い出し (kaidashi) with its close relatives. The most obvious comparison is with 買い物 (kaimono). As discussed, kaimono is the broad umbrella term for all shopping. It can be a hobby, a necessity, or a luxury. Kaidashi is a specific subset of kaimono focused on provisions. Another similar word is 調達 (choutatsu), which translates to 'procurement' or 'supply.' Choutatsu is much more formal and often used in military, government, or large-scale project contexts. For instance, a construction company 'choutatsu' steel. Kaidashi is the domestic or group version of this concept. Then there is 買い溜め (kaidame), which means 'hoarding' or 'panic buying.' While kaidashi is a planned activity for current needs, kaidame implies buying more than necessary because of fear or a future shortage.

買い出し vs 買い物: Kaidashi: Purposeful, bulk, provisions. Kaimono: General, can be recreational.
買い出し vs 買い溜め: Kaidashi: Buying what is needed for a specific event/period. Kaidame: Stockpiling/Hoarding.

必要な分だけ買い出しをするのが賢い主婦のコツだ。

In a more casual setting, you might hear the term 買い付け (kaitsuke). This is often used by professional buyers or 'personal shoppers' who go to a specific location (like a fashion capital or a fish market) to select and purchase items. It has a more expert or professional feel than kaidashi. Lastly, there is the term 買い出し部隊 (kaidashi-butai), literally 'shopping squad.' This is a fun, slightly hyperbolic way to refer to the group of people going out to get the supplies for a party or trip. By understanding these distinctions, you can choose the word that perfectly matches the scale, formality, and intent of your shopping trip. For most daily situations involving a big grocery run, kaidashi remains the most natural and descriptive choice.

彼はアンティーク家具の買い付けのためにイギリスへ渡った。

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

During the post-WWII era in Japan, 'kaidashi' was a life-or-death activity where people traded kimonos for sweet potatoes. Today, it's just a trip to the supermarket!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kaɪdaʃi/

US /kaɪdɑʃi/

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. Kaidashi usually has a low-high-high-high (LHHH) or similar pattern depending on the dialect, but in standard Japanese, it is relatively flat with a slight rise.

Rhymes With

Hidashi Tedashi Midashi Uridashi Oidashi Medashi Kudashi Sadashi

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kai' like 'kay'. It should be a diphthong like 'eye'.
Putting heavy stress on one syllable. Japanese syllables should have relatively equal length.
Confusing the 'shi' with 'si'. It is a 'sh' sound.
Forgetting the small 'i' sound at the end.
Misreading the kanji as 'kaide'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are basic (Buy + Exit), but the specific reading 'kaidashi' must be memorized.

Writing 3/5

Writing the kanji is straightforward for intermediate learners.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce and very useful in daily conversation.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in supermarkets and around events.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

買う買い物出る出すスーパー

Learn Next

仕入れ調達在庫節約特売

Advanced

買い溜め買い付け購買流通需給

Grammar to Know

Noun + に行く (Purpose of movement)

買い出しに行く。

〜分の (Amount/Duration worth of)

三日分の買い出し。

〜のついでに (While doing...)

買い出しのついでに散歩する。

〜を済ませる (To finish a task)

買い出しを済ませる。

〜担当 (In charge of...)

買い出し担当。

Examples by Level

スーパーに買い出しに行きます。

I am going to the supermarket for grocery shopping.

Simple [Destination] ni [Action] ni iku structure.

飲み物の買い出しをします。

I will do the shopping for drinks.

Using 'o shimasu' with the noun kaidashi.

母と買い出しに行きました。

I went grocery shopping with my mother.

Past tense 'ikimashita' with the particle 'to'.

買い出しは大変です。

Grocery shopping is hard work.

Topic marker 'wa' with an adjective.

パンの買い出しに行こう。

Let's go buy some bread (provisions).

Volitional form 'ikou'.

今日の買い出しは何ですか？

What is today's shopping?

Simple question with 'nan desu ka'.

車で買い出しに行きます。

I go shopping by car.

Method particle 'de'.

買い出し、終わりました。

The shopping is finished.

Simple past 'owarimashita'.

晩ご飯の材料を買い出しに行かなければなりません。

I must go buy the ingredients for dinner.

Must-do form '~nakereba narimasen'.

週末に一週間分の買い出しを済ませます。

I finish a week's worth of shopping on the weekend.

Using 'sumasemasu' (to finish).

友達の誕生日パーティーの買い出しを手伝った。

I helped with the shopping for my friend's birthday party.

Plain past 'tetsudatta'.

買い出しに行く前に、冷蔵庫をチェックします。

Before going shopping, I check the refrigerator.

Before pattern 'mae ni'.

安いスーパーへ買い出しに行きましょう。

Let's go to a cheap supermarket for our supplies.

Polite volitional '~mashou'.

買い出しのリストを作りましたか？

Did you make a shopping list?

Noun modification 'kaidashi no list'.

一人で買い出しに行くのは寂しいです。

Going shopping alone is lonely.

Nominalizing the phrase with 'no wa'.

雨の日の買い出しは面倒ですね。

Shopping on a rainy day is a hassle, isn't it?

Sentence ending particle 'ne'.

キャンプの買い出しは、肉と野菜が中心になります。

The camping shopping will focus mainly on meat and vegetables.

Focusing pattern '~ga chuushin ni naru'.

明日のバーベキューのために、飲み物の買い出しに行ってきてくれる？

Can you go buy the drinks for tomorrow's BBQ?

Request form '~te kite kureru?'.

大量の買い出しをする時は、大きなリュックが必要です。

When doing a large amount of shopping, a big backpack is necessary.

Conditional 'toki' with adjective 'hitsuyou'.

震災に備えて、水や非常食の買い出しをしておくべきだ。

We should buy water and emergency food in preparation for a disaster.

Should form '~beki da' and prep form '~te oku'.

買い出しの途中で雨が降り出した。

It started raining in the middle of the shopping trip.

In the middle of '~no tochu de'.

彼は買い出し担当なので、いつも忙しそうにしている。

Since he is in charge of shopping, he always seems busy.

Reason marker 'node' and appearance '~sou ni shite iru'.

買い出しに行ったきり、彼女はまだ戻ってこない。

She went shopping and hasn't come back yet.

The '~ta kiri' grammar (did something and no change since).

お正月の買い出しで、市場はとても混雑していた。

The market was very crowded with New Year's shopping.

Cause marker 'de'.

都会から田舎へ買い出しに行くという風景は、今では珍しい。

The scene of going from the city to the countryside to buy provisions is rare nowadays.

Noun clause '~to iu fuukei'.

予算内で全ての買い出しを済ませるのは至難の業だ。

Finishing all the shopping within budget is an extremely difficult task.

Nominalized phrase '...no wa' with idiom 'shinan no waza'.

買い出し部隊が戻ってくるまで、会場の設営を進めておこう。

Let's proceed with setting up the venue until the shopping squad returns.

Until 'made' and preparatory '~te okou'.

特売日を狙ってまとめ買いの買い出しをするのが、節約の基本です。

Aiming for sale days to do bulk shopping is the basic rule of saving money.

Targeting '~o neratte'.

彼は買い出しのついでに、自分の趣味の物もこっそり買った。

While he was at it with the shopping, he secretly bought something for his hobby too.

While doing/incidental to '~no tsuide ni'.

近所にスーパーがない高齢者にとって、買い出しは切実な問題だ。

For the elderly who have no supermarket nearby, grocery shopping is a pressing issue.

For 'ni totte' and adjective 'setsujitsu'.

文化祭の模擬店で使う材料の買い出しリストを再確認する。

Re-check the shopping list for materials to be used at the school festival stall.

Relative clause 'mogiten de tsukau'.

買い出しの荷物が重すぎて、タクシーを使わざるを得なかった。

The shopping bags were so heavy I had no choice but to use a taxi.

Have no choice but '~zaru o enakatta'.

戦後の食糧難の時代、人々は生きるために必死で買い出しに走った。

During the post-war era of food shortages, people desperately ran to buy provisions to survive.

Compound noun 'shokuryounan' and adverb 'hisshi de'.

イベントの成功は、事前の綿密な買い出し計画にかかっていると言っても過言ではない。

It is no exaggeration to say that the success of the event depends on a meticulous prior shopping plan.

It is no exaggeration to say '~to itte mo kagon de wa nai'.

過疎化が進む地域では、買い出し支援サービスの重要性が高まっている。

In regions where depopulation is progressing, the importance of shopping support services is increasing.

Progressive state '~ga susumu' and noun 'juuyousei'.

買い出しの効率化を図るため、在庫管理アプリを導入することにした。

In order to improve the efficiency of procurement, we decided to introduce an inventory management app.

Aiming for '~o hakaru tame'.

彼は単なる買い出しの域を超えて、もはやプロのバイヤーのような目利きだ。

He has moved beyond the realm of simple shopping and is now a connoisseur like a professional buyer.

Beyond the realm of '~no iki o koete'.

買い出しの際にエコバッグを持参するのは、現代社会の最低限のマナーである。

Bringing reusable bags when going shopping is the minimum etiquette in modern society.

Formal 'no sai ni' (when/at the time of).

不測の事態に備えた買い出しは、パニックを引き起こさない程度に留めるべきだ。

Shopping in preparation for unforeseen circumstances should be kept to a level that does not cause panic.

Unforeseen 'fusoku no jitai' and limit '~ni todomeru'.

行政は「買い物難民」を救うべく、買い出し代行のボランティアを募っている。

The government is recruiting volunteers for shopping proxies in order to save 'shopping refugees.'

In order to 'beku' (formal/literary).

買い出しという日常的行為の中に、その家庭の経済状況や価値観が如実に反映される。

Within the everyday act of grocery shopping, a household's economic situation and values are vividly reflected.

Vividly 'nyojitsu ni' and passive 'hanei sareru'.

物流システムの脆弱性が露呈した際、買い出しに奔走する市民の姿は社会不安の象徴となった。

When the vulnerability of the logistics system was exposed, the sight of citizens scrambling for provisions became a symbol of social unrest.

Vulnerability 'zeijakusei' and scrambling 'honsou suru'.

かつての「買い出し列車」の記憶は、飽食の時代を生きる我々への警鐘とも取れる。

The memory of the former 'provision trains' can be taken as a warning to those of us living in an age of gluttony.

Gluttony 'houshoku' and warning 'keishou'.

買い出しという言葉が内包する「調達」のニュアンスは、単なる消費活動以上の能動性を感じさせる。

The nuance of 'procurement' inherent in the word 'kaidashi' makes one feel an agency beyond mere consumption activities.

Inherent 'naihou suru' and causative 'kanjisaseru'.

グローバル資本主義下における買い出しは、個人の選択が地球規模の供給網に連動していることを再認識させる。

Shopping under global capitalism makes us realize once again that individual choices are linked to global supply chains.

Linked 'rendou shite iru'.

情報の買い出し、すなわちキュレーション能力が、現代の知識社会における成否を分かつ。

The 'shopping for information,' or rather the ability to curate, determines success or failure in today's knowledge society.

Metaphorical use of 'kaidashi'.

都市計画において買い出しの利便性を無視することは、住民の生活基盤を脅かすに等しい。

Ignoring the convenience of shopping in urban planning is equivalent to threatening the living foundations of residents.

Equivalent to '~ni hitoshii'.

買い出しという営みを通じて、我々は自然界からの恩恵を社会的なシステムへと変換しているのである。

Through the activity of shopping for provisions, we are transforming the blessings of the natural world into a social system.

Explanatory 'no de aru'.

Common Collocations

買い出しに行く

買い出しを済ませる

大量の買い出し

買い出し担当

買い出しリスト

パーティーの買い出し

一週間分の買い出し

買い出し部隊

買い出しに走る

買い出しの手伝い

Common Phrases

買い出しに行ってくる

— I'm going out to do the shopping and I'll be back.

ちょっと買い出しに行ってくるね。

買い出しの荷物

— The bags or goods resulting from the shopping trip.

買い出しの荷物を運ぶ。

買い出しを頼む

— To ask someone else to do the bulk shopping.

弟に買い出しを頼んだ。

買い出しのついでに

— While going out for the main shopping trip.

買い出しのついでに郵便局に寄る。

年末の買い出し

— The traditional massive shopping trip before the New Year holidays.

年末の買い出しで賑わう市場。

買い出しに出かける

— To set out for the purpose of buying provisions.

早朝から買い出しに出かける。

買い出しが必要だ

— Provisions need to be bought.

冷蔵庫が空なので、買い出しが必要だ。

買い出しの準備

— Preparing for the shopping trip (e.g., making a list).

買い出しの準備をする。

買い出しを忘れる

— To forget to go shopping or forget an item during the trip.

卵を買い出しで買い忘れた。

買い出しの場所

— The location where the shopping is done.

買い出しの場所を決める。

Often Confused With

買い出し vs 売り出し

Uridashi means 'putting on sale' or 'launching a product'. It's the seller's action.

買い出し vs 貸し出し

Kashidashi means 'lending out' (e.g., from a library).

買い出し vs 引き出し

Hikidashi means 'withdrawal' (money) or 'drawer'.

Idioms & Expressions

"買い出しに走る"

— To rush out to buy supplies, usually due to urgency or a shortage.

台風の前に買い出しに走った。

Informal/Neutral

"買い出し部隊"

— A group of people assigned to buy supplies, used jokingly or for school/club tasks.

買い出し部隊、出発！

Casual

"買い出しを食う"

— Not a standard idiom, but sometimes used metaphorically for a task that takes up time/resources.

準備に時間を食われた（Often replaced by other verbs）.

Rare

"買い出しのプロ"

— Someone who is very efficient at bulk shopping and finding deals.

母は買い出しのプロだ。

Casual

"買い出しビンボー"

— Being broke because of buying too many provisions at once (Slang).

買い出しビンボーになっちゃった。

Slang

"買い出しの鬼"

— Someone who shops for provisions with intense focus or frequency.

彼は買い出しの鬼だ。

Casual

"買い出しツアー"

— A trip specifically taken to a far location to buy specialty bulk goods.

コストコへ買い出しツアーに行く。

Casual

"買い出しメモ"

— A shopping list (specifically for provisions).

買い出しメモを手に取る。

Neutral

"買い出し地獄"

— A very difficult or exhausting shopping trip (e.g., during holidays).

年末の買い出し地獄を味わう。

Informal

"買い出しの成果"

— The items successfully purchased (often used when finding good deals).

今日の買い出しの成果を見せる。

Neutral

Easily Confused

買い出し vs 買い物 (Kaimono)

Both mean shopping.

Kaimono is general/recreational. Kaidashi is for bulk provisions/supplies.

Kaimono at a boutique vs. Kaidashi at a grocery store.

買い出し vs 仕入れ (Shiire)

Both mean buying supplies.

Shiire is professional/business (buying to resell or use in a restaurant). Kaidashi is for personal/group use.

A chef does shiire; a mom does kaidashi.

買い出し vs 買い溜め (Kaidame)

Both involve buying a lot.

Kaidame is hoarding/panic buying. Kaidashi is normal bulk shopping for a plan.

Kaidame during a shortage vs. Kaidashi for a party.

買い出し vs 調達 (Choutatsu)

Both mean procurement.

Choutatsu is very formal/large scale (corporate/military). Kaidashi is domestic.

Government choutatsu vs. family kaidashi.

買い出し vs 買い付け (Kaitsuke)

Both mean going out to buy.

Kaitsuke implies professional selection/buying (e.g., an art buyer). Kaidashi is for basic needs.

Antiques kaitsuke vs. groceries kaidashi.

Sentence Patterns

[Place] へ [Noun] に行く

スーパーへ買い出しに行く。

[Event] の買い出しをする

バーベキューの買い出しをする。

[Duration] 分の買い出し

一週間分の買い出し。

買い出しのついでに [Action]

買い出しのついでに本屋へ寄る。

買い出しを済ませておく

早めに買い出しを済ませておく。

買い出しに奔走する

食料の買い出しに奔走する。

買い出しの効率化を図る

買い出しの効率化を図る。

買い出しという営み

買い出しという営みの中に人生がある。

Word Family

Nouns

買い出し

買い手

買い主

買い入れ

Verbs

買う (kau)

買い出す (kaidasu)

買い占める (kaishimeru)

買い換える (kaikaeru)

買い物

売り出し

貸し出し

引き出し

持ち出し

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily life, especially among adults and students.

Common Mistakes

Using kaidashi for clothes shopping. → Kaimono
Kaidashi is for provisions/supplies, not fashion or luxury items.
Using kaidashi for buying one item. → Kai ni iku
Kaidashi implies bulk or multiple necessary items.
Confusing kaidashi with shiire in a restaurant. → Shiire
Business procurement is 'shiire'; personal/domestic is 'kaidashi'.
Using 'kaidashi-suru' too much. → Kaidashi ni iku
The noun + motion verb pattern is much more common than the suru-verb form.
Confusing uridashi and kaidashi. → Kaidashi
Uridashi is selling/sale; Kaidashi is buying/procuring.

Tips

Think Bulk

Always associate 'kaidashi' with a full shopping cart and a long list. It's not for browsing.

Particle Choice

Use 'ni' for purpose (kaidashi ni iku) and 'no' for category (drink no kaidashi).

New Year Shopping

The term is most iconic during 'Nenmatsu' (year-end) when everyone prepares for the holidays.

Comparison

Contrast it with 'shiire' to remember that 'kaidashi' is for the end consumer, not a business.

Natural Phrases

Saying 'kaidashi ni itte kuru' makes you sound like you have a handle on household chores.

Context Clues

If you hear 'kaidashi,' expect to see people carrying heavy bags or talking about a plan.

Compound Nouns

Don't be afraid to combine it: kaidashi-list, kaidashi-tantou, etc.

The 'Exit' Kanji

Remember 'dashi' (出) means you are EXITING the house to buy things.

Helping Out

Offering 'kaidashi tetsudau yo?' (Shall I help with the shopping?) is a very kind gesture.

Not for Fun

Avoid using it for 'retail therapy' or window shopping. It's a mission, not a hobby.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'KAI' (buying) and 'DASHI' (going out). You are going OUT to BUY the DASHI (soup stock) and everything else for the week!

Visual Association

Imagine a person pushing a shopping cart that is overflowing with bags, heading towards their car. This 'big trip' is kaidashi.

Word Web

Supermarket Bulk Provisions Supplies Party Weekly Cart List

Challenge

Try to use 'kaidashi' instead of 'kaimono' the next time you talk about going to the supermarket for more than three items.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of the verb 'kau' (to buy) and 'dasu' (to put out/go out). Historically, it referred to the act of city dwellers going out to the countryside to procure food directly.

Original meaning: Going out to buy/procure essentials (specifically food) during times of scarcity.

Japonic / Yamato Kotoba (Native Japanese origin).

Cultural Context

Be mindful when discussing the post-war history of 'kaidashi,' as it was a period of great hardship for many Japanese families.

In English, we usually just say 'grocery shopping' or 'stocking up.' 'Kaidashi' is more specific than 'shopping.'

Post-war 'kaidashi' trains in historical films like 'Grave of the Fireflies'. Common scenes in Ghibli films showing characters returning from food shopping. The 'Kaidashi' episode in many slice-of-life anime series (e.g., preparing for a school festival).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family Weekend

週末の買い出し
まとめ買い
荷物が重い
車で行く

Party Planning

飲み物の買い出し
割り勘にする
リストを作る
誰が行く？

Disaster Prep

非常食の買い出し
備蓄する
水を買う
売り切れ

School Festival

材料の買い出し
予算内
領収書をもらう
ホームセンター

New Year Prep

年末の買い出し
市場に行く
おせちの材料
混雑

Conversation Starters

"週末はどこに買い出しに行きますか？"

"パーティーの買い出し、何を買えばいいと思う？"

"買い出しに行くときは、いつもリストを作りますか？"

"この辺りで一番買い出しに便利なスーパーはどこですか？"

"大量の買い出しをした後、荷物を運ぶのは大変ですよね？"

Journal Prompts

今日、買い出しに行った時のことを詳しく書いてください。何を買いましたか？

あなたの国と日本で、買い出しの習慣に違いはありますか？

もし大きなパーティーを開くとしたら、どんな買い出しリストを作りますか？

買い出しを効率的に済ませるための、あなたなりのコツを教えてください。

子供の頃、親の買い出しについて行った思い出はありますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. Kaidashi is for provisions like food, drinks, and daily necessities. For clothes, use 'kaimono'.

It is understood, but 'kaidashi o suru' or 'kaidashi ni iku' is much more natural.

It means the 'person in charge of shopping.' Common in clubs, school festivals, or offices.

Usually during natural disasters (typhoons, earthquakes) or major holidays like New Year's.

It is neutral and used in daily life. In very formal business contexts, 'choutatsu' is better.

Kaidame is hoarding (negative nuance); Kaidashi is planned bulk shopping (neutral/positive).

No, that would sound strange. Use 'kaimono' or just 'mizu o kau'.

The 'dashi' (from dasu) adds the nuance of 'going out' specifically for that purpose.

Yes, 'kaidasu' exists, but the noun form 'kaidashi' is far more common in modern Japanese.

Usually, kaidashi implies physically going out. For online bulk shopping, 'matome-gai' (buying in bulk) is more common.