ネット通販(つうはん)

A compound of ネット (internet) and 通販(つうはん) (mail order, abbreviation of 通信販売(つうしんはんばい)). Refers specifically to shopping conducted over the internet, as opposed to traditional catalog or phone-based mail order.

Common collocations

• ネット通販(つうはん)で買(か)う: to buy online
• ネット通販(つうはん)サイト: online shopping site
• ネット通販(つうはん)の利用(りよう): use of online shopping
• ネット通販(つうはん)大手(おおて): major online retailer

Similar words

• 通信販売(つうしんはんばい): mail-order sales — the formal, full term for all distance selling
• 通販(つうはん): mail order — abbreviation, covers both online and traditional methods
• ネットショッピング: online shopping — a more casual loanword synonym
• EC (イーシー): e-commerce — used more in business contexts

Usage

In everyday Japanese, ネット通販(つうはん) is the most natural way to refer to online shopping in a semi-formal context. ネットショッピング is also used but sounds slightly more casual.