Tatemono to biru wa onajimono desu ka

tatemono and biru both mean building, can they be used interchangably?

similarly, "baiten" and "mise" both mean shop, but are they the same thing?

dingchoiwong said:

tatemono and biru both mean building, can they be used

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If a saw a 'Japanese' looking building, I would say "tatemono," but other than that, I think they can be used interchangably.

baiten" and "mise"

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I think mise is much more common.

Biru is more specific than tatemono.
Tatemono is buildings in general, while biru is usually those made of (reinforced) concrete with several storeys.
Therefore they are not interchangeable. Tatemono could refer to a house made of wood, but you cannot call it biru.

Mise is shops/stores in general.
Baiten refers to a small shop or stall (like kiosk at stations).
Small places placed in hospitals, schools, stations are called baiten.

i agree undrentide, all the buildings i can think of that are called ビル (biru) are tall skysrapers or, as you mentioned, reinforced concrete buildings.