マツキヨ
Meaning: Abbreviation of マツモトキヨシ, one of Japan's largest drugstore chains.
マツキヨ is the standard casual abbreviation for マツモトキヨシ (Matsumoto Kiyoshi), one of Japan's largest and most recognisable drugstore chains with its distinctive yellow signage. The chain sells cosmetics, medicines, toiletries, and health products. It is especially popular with tourists for its wide selection of Japanese beauty products. The abbreviation is universally used in conversation.
Examples
- マツキヨで日焼け止め買ってくるね。 我去松本清买防晒霜哦。Voy a comprar protector solar a マツキヨ.마츠키요에서 선크림 사 올게.
- 駅前のマツキヨ、24時間営業だったっけ? 车站前面那家松本清是24小时营业的吧?¿La マツキヨ de la estación abría las 24 horas?역 앞 마츠키요, 24시간 영업이었나?
- マツキヨのポイントカード使い切った。 松本清的积分卡用完了。He gastado todos los puntos de mi tarjeta de マツキヨ.마츠키요 포인트 카드 다 썼어.
Pronunciation
/ma.tsu.ki.jo/
Usage Guide
Context: daily conversation, shopping, friends
Tone: casual, practical
✓ Do Say
- マツキヨ寄ってから帰ろう。 (Let's stop by Matsukiyo on the way home.)回去的路上顺便去趟松本清吧。Vamos a pasar por マツキヨ de camino a casa.마츠키요 들렀다 가자. (집에 가는 길에 마츠키요 들르자.)
- マツキヨのコスメ売り場広くなったよね。 (The cosmetics section at Matsukiyo got bigger, right?)松本清的化妆品区变大了呢。La sección de cosmética de マツキヨ se ha ampliado, ¿verdad?마츠키요 화장품 코너 넓어졌지? (마츠키요 화장품 매장이 커졌지?)
✗ Don't Say
- フォーマルな文脈で「マツキヨ」 (In formal or business contexts, use the full name マツモトキヨシ)在正式场合说'マツキヨ'(在正式或商务场合,请使用全称マツモトキヨシ)En contextos formales o empresariales, usa el nombre completo マツモトキヨシ.격식 있는 문맥에서 '마츠키요' (공식적이거나 비즈니스 상황에서는 정식 명칭인 마츠모토키요시를 사용하자)
Common Mistakes
- Saying the full マツモトキヨシ in casual conversation — マツキヨ is the natural choice
- Not knowing the chain merged with ココカラファイン in 2021 but the マツキヨ brand name remains
Origin & History
Abbreviated from マツモトキヨシ (Matsumoto Kiyoshi), founded in 1932 by Matsumoto Kiyoshi in Chiba. The chain expanded nationwide and the abbreviation マツキヨ became the standard casual reference.
Cultural Context
Era: Abbreviation common since the 1990s-2000s as the chain expanded
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Especially popular with tourists for cosmetics and beauty products.
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