HOME > WordMaster® > PAPER OR PLASTIC? | 紙袋、それとも、ビニール袋?

For Life
2008.04.04(Review of 2002.05.16 edition)

It's not at all uncommon for newcomers to the United States to be completely caught off guard by today's expression while on their first trip to the supermarket. Take a close look at today's edition and be prepared!

Today's LessonCATEGORY: ジャパニーズイングリッシュ
PAPER OR PLASTIC?   紙袋、それとも、ビニール袋?

Explanation

  • If a check-out clerk at an American supermarket asks you Paper or plastic?, the clerk is asking whether you want a paper bag or a plastic bag for your groceries.

    Be Careful! We do NOT call the thin, plastic carry-out bags used at supermarkets and other stores “vinyl bags”, like the Japanese ビニール袋.
  • アメリカのスーパーマーケットで、レジの店員に Paper or plastic? と聞かれたら、それは、買ったものを入れるのに紙袋とビニール袋のどちらが欲しいか、を尋ねています。

    注意:スーパーなどで、持ち帰り用に使われる薄いビニール製の袋のことを、日本語では「ビニール袋」と言いますが、英語では plastic bag と言います。

PAPER OR PLASTIC?

examples

  1. CLERK: Paper or plastic?
    CUSTOMER: Paper, please.
  2. CLERK: Paper or plastic?
    CUSTOMER: I've brought my own bag, thanks.
  3. The clerk didn't even ask me if I wanted paper or plastic. He just gave me two plastic bags and started helping the next customer.

英会話レッスンMay we help you take your bags out to your car?