サンクコスト

noun

sunk cost

Economics term for a cost that has already been incurred and cannot be recovered. Often used in the phrase サンクコスト効果 (sunk cost effect) or in discussions of decision-making.

• サンクコストを考こう慮りょしてはいけないと経けい済ざい学がくの授じゅ業ぎょうで習ならった。

  I learned in economics class that you shouldn't consider sunk costs.

• サンクコスト効こう果かで、つい無む駄だな投とう資しを続つづけてしまうことがある。

  Because of the sunk cost effect, people sometimes keep making wasteful investments.