Translation guide
How to refer to a person who buys something in Japanese, depending on context and formality.
To refer to a person who purchases something, in business or formal contexts.
Standard term for 'purchaser' in formal and business settings. Literally 'purchase person'.
この商品の購入者には特典があります。
Purchasers of this product will receive a bonus.
Means 'buyer' in a market or transaction sense. Often used in economics or when contrasting with seller (売り手).
買い手がつかない。
There are no buyers.
Similar to 購入者 but slightly more formal or statistical. Often used in market research.
購買者の年齢層を分析する。
Analyze the age groups of purchasers.
To refer to someone buying something in a retail setting.
Polite term for 'customer'. Used by staff to address or refer to customers. Not used to refer to oneself.
お客様、こちらへどうぞ。
This way, please (to a customer).
Neutral/casual term for 'customer'. Can sound blunt if used directly to a customer.
あの店はいつも客が多い。
That store always has many customers.
To talk about someone who buys something in everyday conversation.
Simple and natural way to say 'the person who bought (it)'. Use the appropriate verb form.
これ、買った人は誰？
Who bought this?
General 'person who buys' (habitual or future).
こんな高いもの、買う人はいないよ。
No one would buy something this expensive.
To refer to a purchaser in legal documents or formal contracts.
Legal term for a purchaser at an auction or foreclosure sale. Not used in everyday contexts.
競売の買受人が決まった。
The purchaser at the auction has been determined.
Directly translating 'purchaser' as パーチェイサー is not natural Japanese. Use the appropriate term based on context.
購入者 is more formal and often used in business contexts (e.g., product purchasers). 買い手 is used in market contexts, often paired with 売り手 (seller).