クーポン
Meaning: A coupon or discount code used for shopping, dining, or online purchases.
クーポン is an everyday word in Japan, but its usage has evolved significantly with the rise of apps and digital services. People actively hunt for クーポン on platforms like LINE, Hot Pepper, and various e-commerce sites. The term extends beyond paper coupons to include digital discount codes, app-based rewards, and promotional offers. Skilled coupon users are sometimes admiringly called クーポンマスター.
Examples
- このアプリ入れたらクーポンもらえるから、絶対入れた方がいいよ。 下载这个APP就能领优惠券,绝对应该下一个。Si te descargas esta aplicación te dan un cupón, así que merece la pena instalarla seguro.이 앱 깔면 쿠폰 받을 수 있으니까 꼭 설치하는 게 좋아.
- クーポン使い忘れて定価で買っちゃった、めっちゃ損した。 忘了用优惠券,按原价买了,亏死了。Se me olvidó usar el cupón y pagué el precio completo. ¡Menuda pérdida!쿠폰 쓰는 걸 깜빡하고 정가로 사 버렸어, 완전 손해.
- マックのクーポンいつも使ってるけど、なかったら高くて食べないかも。 麦当劳的优惠券我每次都用,要是没有优惠券的话可能因为太贵就不吃了。Siempre uso los cupones de McDonald's; sin ellos, es tan caro que igual ni iría.맥도날드 쿠폰 항상 쓰는데, 없으면 비싸서 안 먹을지도.
Pronunciation
/kuː.poɴ/
Usage Guide
Context: shopping, dining, daily conversation, apps
Tone: practical, savvy
✓ Do Say
- クーポンあるから一緒にご飯行かない? (I have a coupon, wanna grab food together?)我有优惠券,一起去吃饭吧?(我有优惠券,要不要一起去吃?)Tengo un cupón, ¿te apuntas a ir a comer?쿠폰 있으니까 같이 밥 먹으러 가지 않을래? (쿠폰이 있는데 같이 밥 먹으러 갈래?)
- このクーポン今日までだから急いで使おう。 (This coupon expires today, let's hurry and use it.)这张优惠券今天到期,赶紧用吧。(这张优惠券今天过期,赶紧用了吧。)Este cupón caduca hoy, vamos a darnos prisa en usarlo.이 쿠폰 오늘까지니까 서둘러서 쓰자. (이 쿠폰 오늘 만료니까 빨리 사용하자.)
✗ Don't Say
- 高級レストランでクーポン出すのは場の空気を読んだ方がいい (Think twice before pulling out a coupon at a high-end restaurant — read the room)在高级餐厅拿出优惠券最好先看看气氛——在高档餐厅掏优惠券之前最好先读一下气氛En un restaurante de lujo, piénsatelo dos veces antes de sacar un cupón — lee el ambiente고급 레스토랑에서 쿠폰을 꺼내는 건 분위기를 파악한 후에 하는 게 좋다 — 고급 레스토랑에서 쿠폰을 내미는 건 분위기를 읽고 판단해야 한다
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it like English 'coupon' — in Japanese it's クーポン with a long ū sound, not 'kyūpon'
Origin & History
From English 'coupon' via French. Adopted into Japanese as a loanword. Usage surged in the 2010s with smartphone apps offering digital coupons for restaurants, convenience stores, and online shopping.
Cultural Context
Era: Paper coupons from 1980s, digital explosion from 2010s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Major coupon platforms include LINE, Hot Pepper Beauty, and store-specific apps.
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