Translation guide
The price at which a product is sold to the general public, as opposed to wholesale or cost price. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through several common terms, each with slightly different nuances and usage contexts.
The regular price a consumer pays in a store or online, often the manufacturer's suggested price or the price displayed on the tag.
The most direct and formal term for 'retail price'. Used in business, economics, and official contexts. It contrasts with wholesale price (卸売価格).
この商品の小売価格は1万円です。
The retail price of this product is 10,000 yen.
小売価格が上がると消費者は敏感に反応する。
Consumers react sensitively when retail prices rise.
The 'list price' or 'fixed price' set by the manufacturer. Commonly seen on price tags in Japan. It implies a standard price, though stores may sell below it.
この本の定価は1500円です。
The list price of this book is 1,500 yen.
定価より安く買えた。
I was able to buy it for less than the list price.
Literally 'selling price'. This is the actual price at which a store sells an item, which may differ from the list price. Common in retail settings.
当店の販売価格はメーカー希望小売価格より10%お安くなっております。
Our store's selling price is 10% lower than the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
The price shown on a label, tag, or sign in a store. Often used in everyday conversation.
The most common, everyday word for 'price'. It can refer to any price, but in context it often means the retail price. Use this in casual conversation.
この服の値段はいくらですか？
How much is the price of this clothing?
値段を見てびっくりした。
I was surprised when I saw the price.
A slightly more formal term for 'price', often used in compound words like 小売価格. It can stand alone to mean retail price in business contexts.
The price recommended by the manufacturer, often used as a reference point. Stores may sell above or below this.
The full term for MSRP. Commonly used in product descriptions and by retailers to show discounts. Often abbreviated as 希望小売価格.
メーカー希望小売価格は3万円ですが、当店では2万5千円で販売しております。
The manufacturer's suggested retail price is 30,000 yen, but we sell it for 25,000 yen.
A pricing strategy where the manufacturer does not set a suggested retail price, allowing retailers to set their own. Common for electronics and appliances in Japan.
Refers to products sold without a manufacturer's suggested price. The store determines the selling price. Often seen on price tags as 'オープン価格'.
このテレビはオープン価格なので、店によって値段が違います。
This TV is an open-price item, so the price varies by store.
小売価格 is the formal term for retail price, often used in economic contexts. 定価 is the fixed list price set by the manufacturer, commonly seen on books and some goods. 販売価格 is the actual selling price at a store, which may be discounted from 定価. In casual speech, 値段 is the most natural word for price.
定価は1000円ですが、販売価格は800円です。
The list price is 1000 yen, but the selling price is 800 yen.
When asking for the price of something in a store, it's most natural to use 値段 or simply いくら. Avoid using technical terms like 小売価格 unless you're in a business meeting.
The price of this product is higher than that of competitors.
Abbreviation of メーカー希望小売価格. Very common in retail and online shopping.
希望小売価格より20%引きです。
It's 20% off the suggested retail price.