値切る
negiru
To haggle in Japanese is 値切る (negiru). Wiktionary also lists 〔値段などで〕押し問答する (oshimondō suru).
Meaning: to argue for a better deal (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 値切る | negiru |
| 〔値段などで〕押し問答する | oshimondō suru |
値切る is used to describe the act of trying to lower a price. It is a common term in contexts such as flea markets, second-hand shops or street stalls. However, using it in formal retail environments or department stores is generally considered inappropriate.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 値切る literally means 'to cut the price', combining the kanji for 'price' and the verb 'to cut'.
Which one should you use?
While 値切る specifically refers to the act of bargaining to lower a price, 〔値段などで〕押し問答する (oshimondō suru) refers to a more general heated argument or a verbal back-and-forth struggle that may occur over a price or any other subject.
How do you pronounce it?
negiru
Did you know?
- The phrase 押し問答 (oshimondō) comes from the verbs for 'push' and 'question'. It describes a conversation that has become a stalemate where neither side will budge, resembling a physical pushing match.
- In high-end Japanese department stores, the act of 値切る is not seen as a savvy shopping tactic but can be perceived as an insult to the store's dignity.
- In modern Japanese retail, the phrase 値下げ (nesage) is often preferred over 値切る because it focuses on the price lowering rather than the person doing the haggling. Using 値切る can sometimes sound too aggressive or greedy to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- そうですね、お友達価格でいかがですか？Let's see, how about a friend's price?
- 市場では、もっと値切ることもできる。Ichiba de wa, motto negiru koto mo dekiru.At the market, you can also haggle more.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are shopping for furniture at a local outlet.
- 美咲 Misakiこのソファ、もう少し値切れるかな？Kono sofa, mou sukoshi negireru kana?I wonder if we can haggle a bit more on this sofa?
- 健太 Kenta美咲、そこまで値切るのは難しいよ。Misaki, soko made negiru no wa muzukashii yo.Misaki, it's hard to haggle that much.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、もう少し安くしてほしいな。Demo, mou sukoshi yasuku shite hoshii na.But I really want it to be a little cheaper.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、店員さんに聞いてみよう。Jaa, ten'in-san ni kiite miyou.Well, let's try asking the clerk then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “haggle” translations and entries 値切る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
