Breakdown of mise de kamera wo kaimasu.
をwo
direct object particle
でde
location particle
買うkau
to buy
店mise
store
カメラkamera
camera
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Questions & Answers about mise de kamera wo kaimasu.
Why is there no subject in 店でカメラを買います?
Japanese often omits the subject when it’s clear from context. Here, I (or we) is implied, so you don’t need to state it.
Why does 店 take the particle で instead of に?
The particle で marks the location where an action occurs (“at the store”). In contrast, に marks a destination or location of existence (“go to the store” = 店に行きます, “be at the store” = 店にあります).
Why does カメラ take the particle を?
The particle を marks the direct object of a transitive verb. Here, カメラを indicates what is being bought.
Why does 買います come at the end?
Japanese uses a subject-object-verb (SOV) order. Verbs always appear at the end of sentences or clauses.
Does 買います mean “I buy” or “I will buy”?
The non-past polite form 買います covers both present and future actions. Context or added time words (e.g. 明日買います) clarify whether you mean “I buy” habitually or “I will buy” in the future.
Why is カメラ written in katakana?
Katakana is used for foreign loanwords and onomatopoeia. カメラ is borrowed from English camera, so it’s written in katakana.
Can I swap 店で and カメラを in this sentence?
Yes. Japanese allows some flexibility before the verb. カメラを店で買います is equally correct, though changing the order can shift emphasis slightly.
Could I use お店 instead of 店 here?
Yes. Adding the honorific お (→ お店でカメラを買います) makes the phrase more polite or natural when speaking.