buy

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is ばい, and the kun reading is かう. It has 12 strokes and relates to acquiring something by paying for it.
• Basic usage: 買う is read かう, and 買い物 is read かいもの.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 買う / 買い物
  • 買う means to buy. It is a transitive verb read かう. It is the verb for acquiring a specific item by paying for it.
  • 帰りに駅前でパンを買う。 means “I will buy bread near the station on my way home.”
  • 買い物 means shopping. It is a noun read かいもの. It refers to the activity of shopping or to the things bought.
  • 仕事の帰りに夕食の買い物をした。 means “I shopped for dinner on my way home from work.”