Translation guide
The English word 'cost' can refer to the price of something, the expense involved, or the negative consequence of an action. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings, from everyday shopping to abstract sacrifices.
Asking or stating how much something costs in terms of money.
The most common word for 'price' or 'cost' of an item. Used in everyday conversation.
この時計の値段はいくらですか。
How much does this watch cost?
値段が高いですね。
The cost is high, isn't it?
Refers to 'expense' or 'cost' in a broader sense, such as living costs, travel expenses, or project costs. More formal than 値段.
生活費が上がっている。
The cost of living is rising.
旅行の費用はどのくらいかかりますか。
How much will the travel costs be?
Used for service charges, fees, or rates (e.g., phone charges, admission fees).
入場料金は大人500円です。
The admission cost is 500 yen for adults.
電気料金が高くなった。
The electricity costs have gone up.
Loanword from English, often used in business or technical contexts for 'cost' (e.g., production cost, cost performance).
製造コストを削減する必要がある。
We need to reduce manufacturing costs.
The most common way to ask 'how much does it cost?'. Simply say 'いくらですか？'.
これはいくらですか。
How much does this cost?
Expressing that something was achieved only by losing or sacrificing something else.
Means 'at the cost of ~' or 'sacrificing ~'. Used for both concrete and abstract sacrifices.
彼は家族との時間を犠牲にして成功した。
He succeeded at the cost of time with his family.
健康を犠牲にして働きすぎてはいけない。
You shouldn't work too much at the cost of your health.
Literally 'as the price/compensation of ~'. More formal, often used for negative consequences.
自由の代償として孤独を受け入れた。
He accepted loneliness as the cost of freedom.
Similar to 代償として, but slightly more literary. Often used in dramatic contexts.
彼は命を代償に国を守った。
He protected his country at the cost of his life.
Referring to the non-monetary price of an action, such as time, effort, or trouble.
Refers to the time and effort something takes; the 'trouble' or 'labor' cost.
この料理は手間がかかる。
This dish takes a lot of effort (costs a lot of time and work).
Labor, effort, or toil. Emphasizes the physical or mental energy expended.
Pattern meaning 'it costs [time/money] to do ~'. Very common and versatile.
車を修理するのにお金がかかる。
It costs money to repair the car.
日本語を習得するのに時間がかかる。
It takes time (costs time) to master Japanese.
値段 is the price tag of a specific item. 費用 is the overall expense for an activity or period (travel, living). 料金 is a set fee for a service (electricity, admission). Use いくら to ask 'how much?' in most casual situations.
この本の値段は500円です。
The price of this book is 500 yen.
引っ越しの費用は20万円かかった。
The moving costs were 200,000 yen.
ガス料金を払い忘れた。
I forgot to pay the gas bill.
コスト is a loanword and sounds businesslike. In daily conversation about prices, use 値段 or いくら. コスト is natural in phrases like コストパフォーマンス (cost performance) or 製造コスト (manufacturing cost).
東京の生活費は高い。
The cost of living in Tokyo is high.
彼は健康を犠牲にして夢を叶えた。
He achieved his dream at the cost of his health.
海外旅行にはたくさんお金がかかる。
It costs a lot of money to travel abroad.
その計画には多大な労力が必要だ。
The plan requires a great deal of effort (costs a lot of labor).