買う vs 仕入れる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 買う
Listen to 仕入れる
| 買う | 仕入れる |
|---|---|
KA-u verb (transitive) | しいれる (shiireru) verb (transitive) |
| to buy; to purchase | to procure; to stock (goods), typically used for buying inventory for resale or supply |
How they differ
仕入れる is used mainly in commercial contexts to mean procuring stock or supplies for a business, while 買う is general-purpose and used by consumers; 仕入れる implies acquisition for resale or business operations rather than personal consumption.
When to use each
When to use 買う: Prefer 買う when talking about personal or consumer purchases.
When to use 仕入れる: Prefer 仕入れる when discussing a shop or business acquiring inventory, supplies, or wholesale purchases.
Side-by-side examples
- スーパーで野菜を買った。
(I bought vegetables at the supermarket.) - その店は市場から新鮮な野菜を仕入れた。
(The shop procured fresh vegetables from the market.)
Register & nuance: 仕入れる is business/commerce vocabulary and is more technical or professional compared with everyday 買う.