Translation guide
A large shopping center with many stores, often enclosed. In Japanese, the most common term is ショッピングモール, but other words like モール or 商店街 may be used depending on the type.
ショッピングモールに行こう。
Let's go to the mall.
A large, modern shopping center, often with multiple floors and a variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment.
The most direct and common translation for 'mall'. Used for large, modern shopping complexes.
週末はショッピングモールに行こう。
Let's go to the mall this weekend.
あのショッピングモールには映画館もある。
That mall also has a movie theater.
A shorter, casual version of ショッピングモール. Often used in names of specific malls.
新しいモールが駅前にできた。
A new mall opened in front of the station.
A covered or open-air shopping street with many small shops, often in a traditional or local area.
Refers to a shopping street or district, often with a roof or arcade. More traditional than a modern mall, but can be translated as 'mall' in some contexts.
この商店街はいつも賑わっている。
This shopping street is always bustling.
地元の商店街で買い物をするのが好きだ。
I like shopping at the local mall (shopping street).
Specifically a covered shopping arcade. Can be used for a mall-like street with a roof.
A very large store or complex that may be called a 'mall' in English, but in Japanese is a department store or multi-building shopping area.
Department store. Sometimes used when English speakers might say 'mall', though it's a single large store.
デパートで服を買った。
I bought clothes at the department store (mall).
ショッピングモール is a modern, often enclosed shopping mall with chain stores. 商店街 is a traditional shopping street with local shops, often covered. Use ショッピングモール for typical American-style malls.
アメリカのショッピングモールは大きい。
American malls are big.
日本の商店街は個性的な店が多い。
Japanese shopping streets have many unique shops.
If you're talking about a traditional covered shopping street, モール might be misunderstood as a modern mall. Use 商店街 or アーケード instead.
ショッピングモールは午後9時に閉まる。
The mall closes at 9 PM.
街に新しいモールができた。
There's a new mall in town.
On rainy days, I shop at the arcade (mall).
Shopping center. Can be used for a mall-like complex, often with a large supermarket and specialty stores.
郊外のショッピングセンターは駐車場が広い。
The suburban shopping center (mall) has a large parking lot.