Translation guide
The amount of money needed to buy something. In Japanese, the most common word is 値段 (nedan), but other terms like 価格 (kakaku) and 料金 (ryōkin) are used depending on context. This guide helps you choose the right word and use natural expressions for asking about, stating, and discussing prices.
To refer to the price of everyday items, products, or things you buy.
The most common, everyday word for 'price'. Used for goods in stores, markets, etc. Safe for most situations.
このりんごの値段はいくらですか。
How much is the price of these apples?
値段が高いですね。
The price is high, isn't it?
Slightly more formal than 値段. Often used in business, economics, or when talking about market prices. Also used in compounds like 価格設定 (pricing).
商品の価格を確認してください。
Please check the price of the product.
Loanword from English. Used in marketing, brand names, or trendy contexts. Not as common as 値段 in daily conversation.
このプライスはお手頃だね。
This price is reasonable, isn't it?
To refer to the cost of services, admission, tuition, utilities, etc.
Used for service fees: phone charges, admission fees, transportation fares, tuition, etc. Not typically used for physical goods.
入場料金はいくらですか。
How much is the admission fee?
電気料金が上がった。
The electricity bill went up.
Refers to payment for something, often used when settling a bill or paying for a purchase. 'Price' in the sense of money owed.
Loanword for 'charge', used in contexts like service charges, battery charges, etc. Not a general word for price.
To talk about price as a concept, or the total cost of something, often in economic or abstract contexts.
Refers to cost or expense, often for projects, travel, living, etc. More abstract than 値段.
生活費が高い。
The cost of living is high.
旅行の費用を計算する。
Calculate the travel expenses.
Loanword for 'cost'. Used in business, economics, and technical contexts. Often implies production cost or opportunity cost.
To refer to the current price of something in the market, or the standard price.
Market price, going rate. Used for stocks, commodities, and also figuratively for the 'going rate' of something.
今日の株の相場はどうですか。
How is the stock market price today?
この辺りの家賃の相場はいくらですか。
What's the going rate for rent around here?
Current market price, often used in accounting or for seasonal items like seafood. Not common in daily conversation.
この魚は時価です。
This fish is market price.
To ask the price of something in a natural way.
The most common way to ask 'how much is it?'. Can be used alone or with the item. Polite.
これはいくらですか。
How much is this?
More polite version of いくらですか. Use in formal situations or with strangers.
あの時計はおいくらですか。
How much is that watch?
Explicitly asks 'what is the price?'. Slightly more formal than just いくらですか.
このカバンの値段はいくらですか。
What is the price of this bag?
To describe prices as expensive or cheap.
The price is high / expensive. Standard expression.
最近、野菜の値段が高い。
Vegetable prices are high lately.
The price is low / cheap. Standard expression.
この店は値段が安い。
This store has low prices.
Simply 'expensive'. Can be used alone as an exclamation.
高い！
Expensive!
Simply 'cheap'. Can be used alone.
安いね。
It's cheap, isn't it?
To talk about the price one pays in a non-monetary sense, like sacrifice or consequence.
Price in the sense of sacrifice, cost, or compensation. Often used in phrases like 'pay the price'.
成功の代償は大きかった。
The price of success was great.
To pay the price (figuratively).
彼は自分の過ちの代償を払った。
He paid the price for his mistake.
Colloquial for 'the price one has to pay later', often negative consequences. Like 'the bill comes due'.
値段 (nedan) is the everyday word for the price of goods. 価格 (kakaku) is more formal and often used in business contexts. 料金 (ryōkin) is for service fees, like admission, phone bills, or transportation. Using 料金 for a product in a store would sound unnatural.
この本の値段は1000円です。
The price of this book is 1000 yen.
ガソリンの価格が変動している。
Gasoline prices are fluctuating.
映画の料金は1800円です。
The movie ticket price is 1800 yen.
While プライス (puraisu) is understood, it can sound like marketing jargon or overly casual. Stick to 値段 for everyday conversation.
値段を下げてもらえますか。
Can you lower the price?
代金はレジでお支払いください。
Please pay the price at the register.
A service charge is included.
Reduce manufacturing costs.
The price is coming due now.