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消費 — meaning in English: consumption

shōhi · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for consumption
グリップ
gurippu
相対
sōtai
消費
shōhi
mimi
mame
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neutral common
Usage
The word 消費 (shōhi) is commonly used in discussions about economics, marketing, and environmental issues in Japan. You'll hear it in news reports about consumer spending habits, in conversations about sustainability, or when analyzing the impact of recent price changes on the market.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 供給 (kyōkyū), which means 'supply.' While 消費 (shōhi) focuses on the act of consumption, 供給 (kyōkyū) is about providing goods and services. You would use 消費 when discussing how much a consumer spends or uses, whereas 供給 would fit better in discussions about market dynamics.
Culture
Interestingly, the kanji for 消費 (shōhi) combines the characters for 'to extinguish' (消) and 'to use' (費), reflecting the idea of using resources until they are depleted. This concept is especially relevant in contemporary Japanese discussions about environmental sustainability and the balance between consumption and conservation, making it a critical term in today’s society.
FAQ
Q.What does 消費 (shōhi) mean in English?
消費 (shōhi) translates to 'consumption' in English, referring to the act of using goods and services. It is often discussed in economic contexts, such as consumer behavior and expenditure.
Q.How is 消費 used in a sentence?
You might say, '日本の消費は年々増加しています' (Nihon no shōhi wa nennenn zōka shiteimasu), which means 'Japan's consumption is increasing year by year.' This shows how 消費 can describe trends in spending.
Q.Are there common mistakes with the word 消費?
A common mistake is using 消費 (shōhi) when discussing production instead of consumption. Remember, 消費 specifically refers to the utilization of goods and services, not their creation.
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Japanese 2000