Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing that something is expensive depends on whether you mean high monetary cost, high personal cost, or something being valuable. The most common word is 高い, but there are important nuances.
To say that something costs a lot of money.
The standard adjective for 'expensive'. Can be used for goods, services, and prices.
This bag is expensive.
Prices are high in Tokyo.
Literally 'the price is high'. Used when you want to emphasize the price itself.
This restaurant is expensive, isn't it?
A more formal or written term for 'expensive' or 'high-priced'. Often used for luxury items.
I bought an expensive jewel.
To say that something comes at a high personal cost, such as time, effort, or sacrifice.
To say that something is valuable or precious, not necessarily in monetary terms.
While 高い can mean 'tall' for people, it does not mean 'expensive' for people. To say someone is 'high-maintenance' or 'costly', use other expressions like お金がかかる (costs money).
This plan is too costly (in terms of sacrifice).
家族は私にとって大切です。
Family is precious to me.