Shopping at a Japanese supermarket is a great immersion experience — but the labels and sections can be overwhelming. This guide covers all the vocabulary you’ll see and hear.
At a Glance: Key Areas
| Japanese | Reading | Section |
|---|---|---|
| 野菜売り場 | やさいうりば | Vegetable section |
| 精肉売り場 | せいにくうりば | Meat section |
| 鮮魚売り場 | せんぎょうりば | Fresh fish section |
| 乳製品 | にゅうせいひん | Dairy products |
| 冷凍食品 | れいとうしょくひん | Frozen foods |
| お菓子 | おかし | Snacks / sweets |
| 飲み物 | のみもの | Beverages |
| 調味料 | ちょうみりょう | Seasonings / condiments |
Label Vocabulary
• 賞味期限 (しょうみきげん) — Best before date | 消費期限 (しょうひきげん) — Use by date | 国産 (こくさん) — Domestically produced | 無添加 (むてんか) — No additives | 有機 (ゆうき) — Organic | 特売 (とくばい) — Special sale | 割引 (わりびき) — Discount | お買い得 (おかいどく) — Good deal
Checkout Vocabulary
• レジ (reji) — Cash register / checkout | 袋 (ふくろ) — Bag | 有料 (ゆうりょう) — Paid (bags cost money in Japan now) | ポイントカード — Points card | 現金 (げんきん) — Cash | クレジットカード — Credit card | セルフレジ — Self-checkout
YukaIn Japan, do I always have to pay for bags?
ReiYes! Since 2020, plastic bag fees are mandatory at most stores in Japan. The cashier will ask 袋はよろしいですか？ (Would you like a bag?) or 袋は必要ですか？. If you have your own, say 結構です (No thank you).
YukaWhat’s the difference between 賞味期限 and 消費期限?
ReiImportant distinction! 賞味期限 = best before (quality guarantee — still safe after this date, just might not be at peak quality). 消費期限 = use by (food safety deadline — do not eat after this date). Raw meat and fish have 消費期限; packaged snacks have 賞味期限.
5 Practice Sentences
| # | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | この牛肉の消費期限はいつですか？ | What is the use-by date on this beef? |
| 2 | 袋は結構です、エコバッグを持っています。 | No bag needed, I have my own eco-bag. |
| 3 | 冷凍食品売り場はどこですか？ | Where is the frozen food section? |
| 4 | ポイントカードはお持ちですか？ | Do you have a points card? |
| 5 | 今日は野菜が特売です。 | Vegetables are on special sale today. |
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Using 賞味期限 for raw meat | 消費期限 | Raw meat uses 消費期限 (safety deadline), not 賞味期限 |
| Saying 袋をください when declining | 結構です / 袋は要りません | 結構です = polite refusal |
Quick Quiz
1. Which label means “use by” (food safety)? → 消費期限
2. How do you say “cash register”? → レジ (reji)
3. What does 割引 mean? → Discount
Practice in the Comments!
Try using one of today’s words in your own sentence and post it in the comments! Join the Top Commenters ranking!
Keep Learning: Vocabulary Hub | Food Vocabulary | Shopping Phrases
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