デパート

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. デパートで服を買いました。▶ —
   I bought clothes at the department store.
2. デパートは何時までですか。▶ —
   Until what time is the department store open?

Collocations

Mnemonic

デパート depaato — clipped loanword from English "department store." The kanji 百貨店 (hyakkaten, "hundred-goods store") is the formal written form. Japanese 百貨店 culture: Mitsukoshi, Isetan, Takashimaya, Hankyu — luxury stores anchor downtown identity. The standout is depachika (basement food floor): boxed lunches, wagashi, and 惣菜 (deli sides) galore. Seasonal saiji events, お中元 mid-year gifts, and お歳暮 year-end gifts cluster around department stores. Department stores resemble Korean ones, but depachika is uniquely Japanese.

Quick check

1. What does デパ地下 refer to?

   • Department store basement food floor (bento, wagashi, 惣菜 deli)
   • Rooftop restaurant level
   • Parking garage
   • Refund counter