値段
nedan[ne̞dã̠ɴ]
The Japanese phrase for "the price of something" is 値段 (nedan).
値段 refers to the amount of money required to buy goods or services in general contexts.
Which one should you use?
While 値段 is common in daily life, the term 価格 is a more formal or technical word often used in business, economics or on official signage.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are describing a price as being high or low, the particle が is typically used after 値段 (e.g., 値段が).
How do you pronounce it?
nedan
Did you know?
- In Japanese, you can describe a price as 高い (high) or 安い (cheap), but unlike English, they do not use the word 'low' (低い) to describe a cheap price.
- Japanese has a specific word 値切り (negiri) for the act of haggling over a 値段, which comes from the verb meaning 'to cut' the price.
- In high-end luxury stores in Japan, staff may avoid saying the 値段 directly and instead use polite, indirect phrasing to avoid making the customer think only about the money.
Examples in context
- この本はいくらですか？How much is this book?
- 値段が高いThe price is high
- 値段が安いThe price is low
- 値段が少し高すぎます。Nedan ga sukoshi takasugimasu.The price is a little too high.
- もっと安い値段のものが欲しいです。Motto yasui nedan no mono ga hoshii desu.I want something at a cheaper price.
Example conversation
Youta and Yui are shopping for a gift together.
- 陽太 Yotaこの時計、値段はどう思う？Kono tokei, nedan wa dou omou?What do you think about the price of this watch?
- 結衣 Yui少し高いけど、素敵だよ。Sukoshi takai kedo, suteki da yo.It's a little expensive, but it's lovely.
- 陽太 Yota結衣が気に入ったなら、買おうかな。Yui ga kiniitta nara, kaou kana.If you like it, Yui, maybe I'll buy it.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、嬉しい！Arigatou, ureshii!Thank you, I'm happy!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 値段, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
