インフレーション
infurēshon[ĩɰ̃ɸɯ̟ɾe̞ːɕõ̞ɴ]
The English word inflation is translated into Japanese as インフレーション (infurēshon). Wiktionary also lists インフレ (infure).
Meaning: increase in the quantity of money, leading to a devaluation of existing money and increase in the general nominal level of prices or in the cost of living (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| インフレーション | infurēshon | [ĩɰ̃ɸɯ̟ɾe̞ːɕõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| インフレ | infure | [ĩɰ̃ɸɯ̟ɾe̞] (narrow) |
In Japanese, you can express the concept of inflation using several different terms depending on the context. You might use インフレーション or its shortened form インフレ to describe the economic phenomenon. To specifically describe the phenomenon of rising prices, you can use 物価上昇 for general inflationary trends or 物価高騰 when emphasizing a sudden and dramatic increase in prices. In casual conversation, people often describe the situation more simply by saying 値段が上がる (prices are rising), 物価の上がり具合 or お金の価値が下がる (the value of money is decreasing).
Which one should you use?
インフレーション is the full, formal term, while インフレ is a shortened version used in casual conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
infurēshon
Did you know?
- While the formal term is インフレーション, the shortened インフレ is so common that it is used in almost all news headlines and newspaper titles to save space.
- While インフレ is the standard term for inflation, the word デフレ is used just as frequently in Japanese media to describe the long period of deflation that affected Japan for decades.
- If prices are rising so fast that they become uncontrollable, one might describe the situation using the word 激しい (hashii), meaning 'intense' or 'violent'.
Examples in context
- インフレは抑えられなくなっている。Inflation is getting out of control.This sentence shows how to use インフレ to describe inflation getting out of control.Tatoeba #228350 by KK_kaku_, translation #65706 by CK
- 零細企業はインフレで苦境に陥っています。Small enterprises are feeling the squeeze of inflation.This sentence demonstrates how インフレ can be used to describe the economic pressure on small enterprises.Tatoeba #77606 by mookeee, translation #326112 by CM
- この国ではインフレーションが問題となっています。Inflation is becoming a problem in this country.
- 最近物価の上がり具合が気になります。I am concerned about the degree of price increases recently.
- インフレーションの影響で、生活費が上がっています。Infurēshon no eikyō de, seikatsuhi ga agatte imasu.Due to the effects of inflation, the cost of living is rising.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about the rising price of groceries.
- 美咲 Misaki最近、食料品が高すぎませんか？saikin, shokuryōhin ga takasugimasen ka?Haven't groceries been too expensive lately?
- 陽太 Yotaそうですね。インフレーションの影響だと思います。sō desu ne. infurēshon no eikyō da to omoimasu.You're right. I think it's the effect of inflation.
- 美咲 Misaki給料も上がってほしいです。kyūryō mo agatte hoshii desu.I wish my salary would go up too.
- 陽太 Yota本当にそうですね。hontō ni sō desu ne.I really agree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inflation” translations and entries インフレーション, インフレ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
