や (Store Name) Japanese Grammar Lesson
Grammar Type: Suffix
Essential Meaning: X Store / X Shop
Construction: Noun + や
Notes:
- や (屋 in kanji) is a very common suffix that attaches that indicates a type of store (e.g. 花屋 [Flower shop], パン屋 [Bakery], 肉屋 [Butcher shop]) as well as the individuals who work at these stores (e.g. 花屋さん [Florist]. パン屋さん [Baker], 肉屋さん [Butcher]). さん is typically attached to individuals who work at these stores to distinguish them from the shops themselves.
- E.g. 本屋 [Book store]
- E.g. 本屋さん [Book store owner]
- E.g. 薬屋 [Drug store]
- E.g. 薬屋さん [Drug store owner]
- E.g. パチンコ屋 [Pachinko parlor]
- E.g. パチンコ屋さん [Pachinko parlor owner]
- E.g. 魚屋 [Fish monger shop]
- E.g. 魚屋さん [Fish monger]
- E.g. 酒屋 [Liquor shop]
- E.g. 酒屋さん [Liquor shop owner]
- Japanese stores or restaurants will often attach 屋 to their names to convey a traditional, homely, or rustic vibe. It is similar to a store calling itself “The X store“, “The X shop“, or “The X restaurant” in English.
- E.g. 山形屋 [The Yamagata Store]
- E.g. 青島屋 [The Aoshima Store]
- Occasionally, 屋 can be be used idiomatically to describe a certain “type” of person or to describe a negative stereotype.
- E.g. 恥ずかしがり屋 [A shy person]
- E.g. いばり屋 [A haughty person]
- E.g. きどり屋 [An affected person]
- E.g 寒がり屋 [A person who is susceptible to the cold]
Examples:
酒屋さんに電話してビールを三ダース持ってきてもらった。[I called the liquor store owner and had him bring me three dozen beers.]
あの人は政治家ではなくて政治屋だ。[That person is not a statesman, but a mere politician.]
WILD Examples:
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