Purchase vs buy

[Winwin2011]

My kid asked me the difference between "buy" and "purchase". He learned the word "purchase" from a computer game website. (You can play some computer games if you purchase them.)

I think they mean the same. Purchase is more formal, buy is informal. I was wondering how we explain the meaning of "formal" and "informal" to kids?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Rover_KE]

Have you looked at the Similar Threads below?

 

[Barb_D]

I was wondering how we explain the meaning of "formal" and "informal" to kids?

Thanks for your help.

Informal is what we use with our friends. Formal is what we use with strangers we want to think highly of us and at work with people who are senior to us. (That's one way, depending on how old they are.)

 

[Tdol]

I was wondering how we explain the meaning of "formal" and "informal" to kids?

How about using some examples- children/kids, etc.