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.
How much is the price of these apples?
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).
Loanword from English. Used in marketing, brand names, or trendy contexts. Not as common as 値段 in daily conversation.
To refer to the cost of services, admission, tuition, utilities, etc.
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.
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.
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.
How much is this?
To describe prices as expensive or cheap.
The price is high / expensive. Standard expression.
To talk about the price one pays in a non-monetary sense, like sacrifice or consequence.
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.
The price of this book is 1000 yen.
The price is high, isn't it?
Please check the price of the product.
このプライスはお手頃だね。
This price is reasonable, isn't it?
Used for service fees: phone charges, admission fees, transportation fares, tuition, etc. Not typically used for physical goods.
How much is the admission fee?
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.
Please pay the price at the register.
Loanword for 'charge', used in contexts like service charges, battery charges, etc. Not a general word for price.
A service charge is included.
The cost of living is high.
Calculate the travel expenses.
Loanword for 'cost'. Used in business, economics, and technical contexts. Often implies production cost or opportunity cost.
Reduce manufacturing costs.
How is the stock market price today?
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.
This fish is market price.
More polite version of いくらですか. Use in formal situations or with strangers.
How much is that watch?
Explicitly asks 'what is the price?'. Slightly more formal than just いくらですか.
What is the price of this bag?
Vegetable prices are high lately.
The price is low / cheap. Standard expression.
This store has low prices.
Simply 'expensive'. Can be used alone as an exclamation.
Expensive!
Price in the sense of sacrifice, cost, or compensation. Often used in phrases like 'pay the price'.
The price of success was great.
To pay the price (figuratively).
He paid the price for his mistake.
Colloquial for 'the price one has to pay later', often negative consequences. Like 'the bill comes due'.
The price is coming due now.
ガソリンの価格が変動している。
Gasoline prices are fluctuating.
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.
Can you lower the price?