Quick answer
買 is the kanji for "Buy". The most common reading is か.う (kau). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
Buy
Also : Purchase · Acquire
Learn 買 with SRS
Free to start — no credit card. Track every review with spaced repetition.
Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
12 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 買 represents 'BUY'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of buy.
On-reading: ばい — remember this sound by associating it with buy. Kun-reading: か.う.
Example Sentences
欲しかった本をやっと買えました。
ほしかったほんをやっとかえました。
I finally managed to buy the book I wanted.
スーパーで食材を買いました。
すーぱーでしょくざいをかいました。
I bought groceries at the supermarket.
Vocabulary using 買
Grammar to study at this level
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
Learn 買 with Spaced Repetition
InitialJ uses scientifically proven SRS to help you memorize kanji and vocabulary for the JLPT. N5 is free forever; no credit card required.