Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing a price reduction depends on whether you're talking about a discount, a sale, a markdown, or a general decrease in price. The most common and versatile word is 値下げ (nesage), but other terms like 割引 (waribiki) and 値引き (nebiki) are used in specific contexts.
To say that a price has been lowered, often by a seller or store.
The most common and neutral word for a price reduction. It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (値下げする).
This product's price has been reduced.
Often implies a discount given at the point of sale, sometimes through negotiation. Slightly more transactional than 値下げ.
Refers to a price drop from the perspective of the market or the buyer, not the seller's action. Often used for stocks or commodities.
To express a discount, often as a percentage or a fixed amount off the original price.
To talk about a sale event or a bargain price.
The most common word for a sale event (e.g., summer sale).
To describe a price reduction in a formal or news context, often by a company or government.
Also used in formal contexts. Very common in news.
値下げ (nesage) is a general price reduction, often a permanent markdown. 値引き (nebiki) often implies a discount given at the time of purchase, sometimes through negotiation. 割引 (waribiki) specifically refers to a discount, usually a percentage off. In many stores, you'll see 割引 used for sales, while 値下げ is used for clearance or permanent price changes.
値下げ (nesage) is a transitive action (someone lowers the price). 値下がり (nesagari) is intransitive (the price falls by itself). Use 値下げ when a store reduces prices, and 値下がり when describing market trends.
We are offering a 10% price reduction on all items.
We plan to reduce the price from next month.
That shop always gives me a discount.
原油の値下がりが続いている。
The price of crude oil continues to fall.
The standard word for a discount, often used with percentages (e.g., 20%割引 = 20% off). Can be used as a noun or with する.
Everything is 20% off.
Do you have a discount coupon?
Loanword from English, used in business contexts or for 'discount store' (ディスカウントストア).
That store always offers discounts.
Also used for discounts, especially when haggling or getting a personal discount.
Can you give me a little more discount?
今、バーゲンセール中です。
We're having a bargain sale now.
Special sale, often for a limited time or on specific items, like at a supermarket.
Today is the special sale day for eggs.
Often implies a clearance sale or a sale with deep discounts, like a 'bargain sale'.
I got it cheap at the bargain sale.
A reduction in electricity rates was announced.
Often used for official or systematic price reductions, like taxes or fees. Implies a deliberate lowering by an authority.
A reduction in the tax rate is being considered.
Used in economic reports to describe a drop in prices (market-driven).
The fall in prices affected the economy.
Can I get a discount?