デパ地 下(ちか)

でぱちか

noun

department store basement; food hall

informalspokencolloquialshopping food

1. department store basement food hall

the basement floor(s) of Japanese department stores that contain high-quality food shops, delicatessens, and confectioneries

デパ地下(ちか)でお弁当(べんとう)を買(か)った。

I bought a bento at the department store food hall.

デパ地下(ちか)のスイーツは美味(おい)しい。

The sweets at the department store basement are delicious.

夕方(ゆうがた)のデパ地下(ちか)は混(こ)んでいる。

The department store food hall is crowded in the evening.

Etymology

デパ地下(ちか) = デパート (department store) + 地下(ちか) (basement). It's a blend word (portmanteau) coined to describe the food floors in Japanese department stores.

What YOU'LL find

惣菜(そうざい) - prepared foods, deli items
弁当(べんとう) - bento boxes
和菓子(わがし) / 洋菓子(ようがし) - Japanese/Western confections
精肉(せいにく) / 鮮魚(せんぎょ) - meat/fish
名店(めいてん) - famous restaurant branches
手土産(てみやげ) - gift items

Cultural note

デパ地下(ちか) is known for high-quality but often expensive food
閉店(へいてん)セール (closing time sales) offer discounts on perishables before closing
Popular for buying 手土産(てみやげ) (gifts) when visiting someone

general

Added 2026.1.28 23:45 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

08500/08828_depachika