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).
この商品は値下げされました。
This product's price has been reduced.
来月から値下げする予定です。
We plan to reduce the price from next month.
Often implies a discount given at the point of sale, sometimes through negotiation. Slightly more transactional than 値下げ.
あの店はいつも値引きしてくれる。
That shop always gives me a discount.
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.
原油の値下がりが続いている。
The price of crude oil continues to fall.
To express a discount, often as a percentage or a fixed amount off the original price.
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.
全品20%割引です。
Everything is 20% off.
割引券を持っていますか。
Do you have a discount coupon?
Also used for discounts, especially when haggling or getting a personal discount.
To talk about a sale event or a bargain price.
The most common word for a sale event (e.g., summer sale).
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.
Often implies a clearance sale or a sale with deep discounts, like a 'bargain 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.
電気料金の値下げが発表された。
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.
Used in economic reports to describe a drop in prices (market-driven).
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.
全品10%の値下げを行っております。
We are offering a 10% price reduction on all items.
値引きしてもらえますか。
Can I get a discount?
Loanword from English, used in business contexts or for 'discount store' (ディスカウントストア).
あの店はいつもディスカウントしている。
That store always offers discounts.
Can you give me a little more discount?
今日は卵の特売日です。
Today is the special sale day for eggs.
バーゲンで安く買えた。
I got it cheap at the bargain sale.
税率の引き下げが検討されている。
A reduction in the tax rate is being considered.
物価の値下がりが景気に影響を与えた。
The fall in prices affected the economy.