Life in Japan is deeply tied to ubiquitous コンビニエンスストア (konbiniensu sutoa, convenience stores), better known as コンビニ (konbini). They can be found at around 55,600 locations across the country.

If you’re new to Japan, then a コンビニ is sure to impress. First, they offer country-specific items such as おにぎり (onigiri, rice balls), お弁当 (o-bentō, box lunch) and おでん (oden), which is an assortment of boiled foods served in winter.

Heck, even Japanese サンドイッチ (sandoicchi, sandwiches) are unique, with one たまごサンド (tamago sando, egg-salad sandwich) from Lawson in particular attracting the attention of the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. Lawson, Family Mart, 7-Eleven, Ministop — when it comes to convenience, these stores cater to a variety of 生活ニーズ (seikatsu nīzu, daily needs).

For many living in Japan, stopping by the コンビニ is almost like a 日課 (nikka, daily routine). It’s not unusual to hear someone say, 出勤前にコンビニに寄ってコーヒーを買うことにしている (Shukkin-mae ni konbini ni yotte kōhī o kau koto ni shite-iru, I always drop by a convenience store for a coffee before going to work). The verb 寄る (yoru, to come close to) is just as convenient when it comes to describing that quick stop, it is usually used when a quick move or stop is needed — 脇に寄って (waki ni yotte, step to the side).

The grammar point we’re more interested in from the above sentence, however, is 〜ことにする (~koto ni suru), which translates as “I’ve decided to~” and “I make it a habit to~.” This phrasing insinuates that you’ve made up your mind on something.

You may hear 〜ことにする around the year-end holidays because people use it to declare their new year resolutions. For example, 間食をやめることにする (kanshoku o yameru koto ni suru, I’ve decided to stop snacking) or 毎月一冊は本を読むことにする (maitsuki issatsu wa hon o yomu koto ni suru, I’m going to make it a habit to read at least one book a month).

公共料金の支払いから宅配便の手配、そして防災・防犯拠点としての役割まで、コンビニは社会のインフラとして機能しています (Kōkyō ryōkin no shiharai kara takuhaibin no tehai, soshite bōsai/bōhan kyoten to shite no yakuwari made, konbini wa shakai no infura toshite kinō shite-imasu, From processing utility payments and arranging deliveries to serving as disaster and crime prevention hubs, convenience stores function as societal infrastructure).

The 〜から〜まで (~kara ~made) structure works similarly to the “from~ to~” structure in English as a way to list examples: 生野菜からデザートまで、コンビニに行けば何でも揃う (Nama yasai kara dezāto made, konbini ni ikeba nandemo sorou, From fresh vegetables to desserts, you can find anything at a convenience store). As noted earlier, though, コンビニ don’t just specialize in food. I do a host of things at my local コンビニ, like getting チケット (chiketto, tickets) for a コンサート (konsāto, concert) or a 遊園地 (yūenchi, amusement park) printed while making a 引き出し (hikidashi, withdrawal) or 預け入れ (azukeire, deposit) at the エーティーエム (ētīemu, ATM).

The grammatical structure 〜をはじめ (~o hajime) is another way to outline the many things that can be done at a コンビニ. For example, 日本のコンビニは化粧品をはじめ、下着や文房具など日用品も幅広く取り扱っている (Nihon no konbini wa keshōhin o hajime, shitagi ya bunbōgu nado nichiyōhin mo habahiroku toriatsukatte-iru, Japanese convenience stores offer a wide range of products, including cosmetics, underwear and stationery). The compound case particle はじめ (hajime) might evoke the noun 初め (hajime, beginning) and the verb 始める (hajimeru, to begin), but it’s said that this particle originally comes from the kanji 首 (shu/kubi, neck). 首 also means a beginning and highest position, such as 首位 (shui, first place), so when writing 〜をはじめ, it’s safe to use hiragana. In the previous sentence, though, we still start with 化粧品 (keshōhin, cosmetics) before taking a pause and completing the list. Another example, ケニアをはじめ、モロッコとメキシコに行きたいです (Kenia o hajime, Morokko to Mekishiko ni ikitai desu, I would like to go to Kenya, Morocco and Mexico).

イートインスペースのあるコンビニが増えて、店内で飲食できるようにもなりました (Ītoin supēsu no aru konbini ga fuete, tennai de inshoku dekiru yō nimo narimashita, More and more convenience stores are equipped with an eat-in area, allowing customers to dine inside). Unlike the decisive nuance of 〜ことにする, the structure 〜ようになる (~yō ni naru, to become~) suggests a natural shift that doesn’t necessarily involve a person’s will. For example, 最近忙しくてコンビニで夜食を買うようになった (Saikin isogashikute konbini de yashoku o kau yō ni natta, Recently, I’ve been so busy that I’ve started buying late night snacks at the convenience store).

Given their impressive selection and capabilities, it’s no wonder overseas buyers are interested in 7-Eleven. 日本のコンビニはウォークマン以来最高の輸出品になるかもしれない (Nihon no konbini wa uōkuman irai saikō no yushutsuhin ni naru kamoshirenai, The Japanese convenience store may end up being our best export since the Walkman).