Translation guide
The economic concept of a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money. This guide covers how to talk about inflation in Japanese, from the standard term to related expressions.
Referring to the economic phenomenon of rising prices.
The most common and casual term for inflation. Short for インフレーション. Used in everyday conversation and news.
最近、インフレが進んでいる。
Inflation has been progressing recently.
The full, more formal term for inflation. Often used in economic reports or academic contexts.
インフレーション率が上昇した。
The inflation rate rose.
Literally 'price rise'. A more descriptive, slightly formal term. Common in news and business.
物価上昇が家計を圧迫している。
Rising prices are putting pressure on household budgets.
Means 'inflationary trend'. Used when discussing the direction of inflation.
経済はインフレ傾向にある。
The economy is in an inflationary trend.
Specifically referring to the rate at which prices are increasing.
The standard term for 'inflation rate'. Used in both casual and formal contexts.
今年のインフレ率は2%です。
This year's inflation rate is 2%.
Referring to extremely high and typically accelerating inflation.
The common term for hyperinflation. Short for ハイパーインフレーション.
その国はハイパーインフレに陥った。
That country fell into hyperinflation.
Referring to a decrease in the general price level, the opposite of inflation.
The common term for deflation. Short for デフレーション. Japan has experienced prolonged deflation, so this word is very familiar.
日本は長年デフレに苦しんできた。
Japan has suffered from deflation for many years.
The full, formal term for deflation.
Referring to the act of inflating something, like a balloon, or a figurative expansion.
Means expansion, swelling, or inflation in a physical or figurative sense. Used for balloons, universe, etc.
宇宙の膨張について研究している。
I'm researching the expansion of the universe.
Both mean inflation, but インフレ is a loanword and more casual, while 物価上昇 is a native Japanese compound that literally means 'price rise' and is slightly more formal. In everyday speech, インフレ is more common.
インフレで生活が大変だ。
Life is tough because of inflation.
物価上昇が続いている。
Prices continue to rise.
The English verb 'to inflate' (e.g., a balloon) is 膨らませる (ふくらませる) or 膨張させる (ぼうちょうさせる). The economic term 'inflation' does not directly become a verb in Japanese; instead, use phrases like インフレが進む (inflation progresses) or 物価が上がる (prices rise).
インフレは深刻な問題だ。
Inflation is a serious problem.
政府はインフレを抑えようとしている。
The government is trying to control inflation.
Literally 'price increase rate'. A more formal alternative, often seen in economic data.
物価上昇率が前年比で3%上昇した。
The inflation rate rose 3% year-on-year.
The full term, used in formal or academic writing.
ハイパーインフレーションは経済を破壊する。
Hyperinflation destroys the economy.
Deflation indicates a lack of demand.
In cosmology, the inflationary epoch is called インフレーション. Also used for inflating a balloon in technical contexts.
宇宙のインフレーション理論は広く受け入れられている。
The theory of cosmic inflation is widely accepted.