Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 値段 | nedan | [ne̞dã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 価格 | kakaku | [ka̠ka̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
Both terms refer to the cost required to gain possession of something. 価格 is the preferred term when discussing market prices, price indices or statistical data, while 値段 is used for the price of everyday goods.
Which one should you use?
価格 is a formal term often used in business, economic or official contexts. In contrast, 値段 is more colloquial and is the standard choice for daily conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
価格 is used in formal or professional settings. 値段 is the colloquial form used in common, everyday speech.
How do you pronounce it?
nedan
When do people say it?
When shopping, you can use the polite phrase Ikura desu ka? to ask for the price of an item or Kore wa ikura desu ka? to specify a particular item while asking. In an informal setting, if you want to express that something is a bit expensive, you might say Chotto takai janai?
Did you know?
- In Japanese retail, you will often see the word 価格 used in 'price-breaking' slogans, such as 価格破壊, which literally means 'price destruction'.
- The word 値段 combines 値 meaning 'price' and 段 meaning 'step' or 'level'. This suggests that prices were historically viewed as a series of tiered levels.
- While 価格 is used for market prices, if you are talking about the cost of a service like a haircut or a taxi ride, Japanese speakers often use 料金 (ryōkin) instead.
Examples in context
- 値段が高すぎる！The price is too high.This sentence uses 値段 to express that a price is too high.Tatoeba #5121 by bunbuku, translation #462882 by lukaszpp
- 妥当な価格だね。That's a fair price.This sentence uses 価格 to describe a fair price.Tatoeba #11065659 by small_snow, translation #8815011 by sundown
- 米の値段が下がった。The price of rice has come down.This sentence uses 値段 to mention that the price of rice has decreased.Tatoeba #83516 by bunbuku, translation #320200 by CK
- 93 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are shopping for a new lamp.
- 美咲 Misakiこのランプ、値段はどうかな？Kono ranpu, nedan wa dō kana?I wonder what the price of this lamp is.
- 大翔 Hirotoえっと、二千円だよ。Etto, nisen-en dayo.Let's see, it's two thousand yen.
- 美咲 Misaki値段が安いし、いいと思う！Nedan ga yasui shi, ii to omou!The price is cheap, so I think it's good!
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。買おうか。Sō dane. Kaō ka.You're right. Shall we buy it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “price” translations and entries 値段, 価格, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 価格, 値段, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
