買い物をする

You use this like any other suru verb. In polite speech, it becomes 買い物をします. If you are talking to friends, just say 買い物をする. You can add the location before it using the particle de. For example, デパートで買い物をします means shopping at a department store. It is very flexible. You can even use it for online shopping. Just add ネットで (netto de) at the start.

Use it when the main goal of your outing is buying things. Use it when planning your weekend with friends. Use it when telling your partner you are heading to the supermarket. It is perfect for texting. If someone asks what you are doing, 買い物中 (shopping now) is a great reply. It fits perfectly in casual chats and professional small talk alike.

Don't use it if you are just 'window shopping' without intent to buy. For that, use ウィンドウショッピング. Also, don't use it for single, specific transactions like buying a train ticket. In those cases, just use the verb kau (to buy). If you are 'going' to a place to shop, 買い物に行く (kaimono ni iku) is often more natural. 買い物をする focuses more on the activity itself.

Shopping is a major social activity in Japan. Japanese department stores, or depato, are legendary for service. There is also the depachika, the basement food floors. Shopping there is an experience, not just a chore. Gift-giving culture also keeps people shopping often. You might shop for omiyage (souvenirs) for coworkers. This phrase carries the weight of these social obligations too.

You will often hear 買い物に行く (go to shop). Another common one is お買い物 (okaimono). Adding the o makes it sound a bit softer or more feminine. In stores, staff might ask if you are o-sagashi (looking for something). But as a customer, kaimono is your primary word. It is the bread and butter of daily Japanese life.