Translation guide
A shop where meat is sold. In Japanese, this is commonly referred to as 肉屋 (nikuya), but there are also more specific terms depending on the type of meat and formality.
A shop that sells meat, typically beef, pork, chicken, etc.
The most common and general term for a butcher's shop. Literally 'meat shop'.
A shop specializing in a particular type of meat, such as horse meat or poultry.
A shop specializing in horse meat. Not common everywhere, but found in regions where horse meat is consumed.
熊本には馬肉専門店がたくさんある。
There are many horse meat specialty shops in Kumamoto.
When asking for directions or mentioning a butcher's shop in casual conversation, 肉屋 (nikuya) is perfectly natural. For example, you can say 肉屋はどこですか？ (Where is the butcher's shop?).
肉屋 is the everyday word, while 精肉店 is more formal and often seen on store signs or in written contexts. Both refer to the same type of shop, but 精肉店 may imply a slightly higher-end or specialized establishment.
A new butcher's shop opened in front of the station.
あの肉屋のソーセージは美味しい。
The sausages from that butcher's shop are delicious.
A more formal term for a butcher's shop, often used in signage or business names. Literally 'refined meat shop'.
商店街の精肉店で牛肉を買った。
I bought beef at the butcher's shop in the shopping street.
A polite and friendly way to refer to a butcher's shop, often used in conversation. The honorific prefix お and suffix さん add warmth.
お肉屋さんでひき肉をもらってきて。
Go get some ground meat from the butcher's shop.
A shop specializing in chicken meat. Often found in shopping districts or near markets.
あの鶏肉専門店の手羽先は絶品だ。
The chicken wings from that poultry shop are exquisite.