Translation guide
The act of charging too much money for a product or service. This guide covers how to express overcharging in Japanese, from common verbs to formal complaints.
Expressing that a seller or service provider has charged more than the correct or fair price.
A common colloquial verb meaning to rip off or overcharge, often used when a customer feels cheated.
Phrases to use when you want to tell someone you've been overcharged and seek a correction.
A polite but direct way to say 'This is too expensive', implying you think the price is unfair.
すみません、これは高すぎます。間違いではありませんか？
Excuse me, this is too expensive. Could it be a mistake?
ぼったくる is used from the customer's perspective to describe being ripped off. ふっかける focuses on the seller's action of demanding a high price. ぼったくる is more common in everyday speech.
あの店にぼったくられた。
I got ripped off by that shop.
あの店は法外な値段をふっかける。
That shop demands outrageous prices.
The English word 'overcharging' doesn't have a single direct equivalent in casual Japanese. Using 過剰請求 in everyday conversation sounds unnatural. Stick to ぼったくる or descriptive phrases.
あの店、観光客をぼったくってるよ。
That shop rips off tourists.
タクシーにぼったくられた。
I got overcharged by the taxi.
A neutral, formal way to say 'charge a high fee'. Can imply overcharging in context.
不当に高い料金を請求された。
I was charged an unreasonably high fee.
To charge an exorbitant price, often used when someone demands an unfairly high amount.
彼は法外な値段をふっかけてきた。
He demanded an outrageous price.
A technical term for overbilling or overcharging, used in business or legal contexts.
クレジットカード会社が過剰請求した。
The credit card company overcharged.
A polite way to suggest there's an error in the charge, without directly accusing anyone of overcharging.
料金が間違っているようです。確認していただけますか？
The charge seems to be wrong. Could you check it?
A confrontational way to say 'Isn't this a rip-off?'. Use only in informal situations when you're sure you're being cheated.
Can sound aggressive; use with caution.
この値段、ぼったくりじゃないですか？
This price is a rip-off, isn't it?