Translation guide
The English idiom 'highway robbery' refers to an outrageously high price or an act of blatant overcharging. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent, but several expressions convey the idea of something being a rip-off, extortionate, or unreasonably expensive.
Expressing that a price is unreasonably high, like being robbed.
A common, casual noun meaning 'rip-off' or 'overcharging'. Often used for tourist traps or dishonest pricing.
この店はぼったくりだ。
This shop is a rip-off.
あのタクシーはぼったくりだった。
That taxi was a rip-off.
Passive verb form meaning 'to be ripped off' or 'to be overcharged'. Very natural in conversation.
あの店でぼったくられた。
I got ripped off at that store.
Literally 'a price like you've been robbed'. A vivid, colloquial way to express highway robbery.
この値段、強盗にあったみたいだね。
This price is like highway robbery.
Means 'exorbitant price' or 'outrageous price'. More formal and descriptive than ぼったくり.
それは法外な値段だ。
That's an exorbitant price.
Idiom meaning 'to take advantage of someone's weakness' in pricing, often used when a seller exploits a buyer's urgent need.
あの店は足元を見て高い値段をつける。
That store takes advantage of you and sets high prices.
Do not translate 'highway robbery' literally as 高速道路強盗 (こうそくどうろごうとう). That would mean actual robbery on a highway, not overpricing.
While 高い (たかい) simply means 'expensive', ぼったくり implies dishonesty or unfairness. Use ぼったくり when you feel cheated, not just when something is pricey.
このカバンは高いけど、品質がいい。
This bag is expensive, but the quality is good.
このカバンはぼったくりだ。同じものが半額で買える。
This bag is a rip-off. You can buy the same one for half the price.