shopping center, shopping mall

[shabani]

Hi,
Is there any particular difference between a shopping mall and a shopping center?

[Bennevis]

I know in the US they say "mall".

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, "shopping centre".

[SoothingDave]

In the US, in general, a "mall" is indoors. A mall consists of common, wide, indoor areas for traveling between stores. Most stores are only accessible from the inside of the mall.

A "shopping center" is one or more buildings that contain stores and restaurants that share a common parking area. To walk from one store to another, you must go outside.

[emsr2d2]

In the US, in general, a "mall" is indoors. A mall consists of common, wide, indoor areas for traveling between stores. Most stores are only accessible from the inside of the mall.

A "shopping center" is one or more buildings that contain stores and restaurants that share a common parking area. To walk from one store to another, you must go outside.

Interesting. A shopping centre in the UK is normally indoors. Many of the shops might have entrances from the outside but they also have a door inside the centre so you can visit all the shops without going outside, especially if you park in the attached car park which is frequently underground.

[Tdol]

Do you hear the word mall in BrE? It seems to be creeping into use. I never used to hear it, but have heard it used sometimes on recent trips there.

[emsr2d2]

Yes, it is sneaking in, especially with the younger generation. I don't think that (yet) a new shopping centre has been built that's actually officially been called "The ******* Mall" (asterisks are not in place of a swear word, incidentally, although that would be quite funny!)

[Rover_KE]

Here's a list of just a few malls in England.

However, of the 38 largest shopping centres here, only two include Mall in their official name.

Most shoppers like the word, and its popularity is spreading rapidly.

Rover

[Tdol]

Most shoppers like the word, and its popularity is spreading rapidly.

I picked it up somewhere along the way and use it sometimes- it is a bit like movie in that I just found myself using it without realising.

[Rover_KE]

Yes - it's one of those useful American words that only a few BE speakers will object to.

Rover