The Stores, the Japanese Banks

[HSS]

Hi.

If you could help me understand the difference between the sentences, I would appreciate it very much. What is the nuance if you think hard?

[1] You can buy it at the stores that show this sign.
[2] You can buy it at stores that show this sign.

[3] You can use our card at the Japanese banks that show this sign.
[4] You can use our card at Japanese banks that show this sign.

Best wishes,
Hiro

[Tdol]

There isn't much difference, but the definite article could suggest that not so many stores or banks display the sign IMO.

[HSS]

My gut feeling is that with [3] you are saying not the Korean banks, not the Chinese banks, not the Rossian banks, it is the Japanese banks with the sign where you can use our card. Upon hearing "the" you may suppose afterwards some explanation of a 'type' or 'kind' comes, and in this sentence a lot of people feel it is the word "Japanese." (And, yes, 'that shows the sign,' too, but it comes later) If you want to emphasize you can use the card at banks with the sign, you might wish to use the sentence [4]. Am I, maybe, close to your insight, anyone?

Hiro

[Tdol]

If you were in an area with lots of banks from various countries, then your view of 3) makes some sense, but even so, the article implies that not all Japanese banks display the sign IMO.