"This supermarket sure has a lot of confidence."

That's what Japanese Twitter user Dugong (@DugongY) was thinking when they encountered a sign posted outside the Sun Fresh Matsuzaki supermarket in Kamo, Shizuoka prefecture.

The reason for that is that it makes a rather bold claim...well, depending on how you read it. When Dugong shared a picture of the slogan posted to the supermarket's sign, the Tweet quickly blew up online--with many sharing his sentiment, but also being somewhat confused.

Source: @DugongY

Above the name of the supermarket is the slogan "Nai mono wa nai" (ないものはない). This translates to "There's nothing we don't have" meaning the supermarket sells everything, which is a rather confident claim. Dugong originally interpreted it as that, but then supposed the actual meaning was a more straightforward "we don't sell what we don't have."

Unfortunately, when the supermarket was reached for an answer to clarify the wording on the sign, they replied, "No one understands the meaning of the wording." So it appears as if the double meaning mystery will remain.

Many in the replies expressed their fascination and confusion regarding the sign, with some even reflecting on how tricky Japanese can be for even a native speaker.

"I was blown away when I realized what it meant! Japanese language is so interesting."

"When I read the post, I thought for a moment, "What does that mean? but then I thought about it and it made sense!"

"I live in the area, and I remember that this store has had this sign for many years."


By - grape Japan editorial staff.