How to say "expensive" in Japanese

• 高価こうかJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'expensive' for things that are highly priced or valuable — costly merchandise, purchases, gifts. It characterizes the item itself as costing a lot, with an added nuance of value.
  そんな高価こうかな本ほんは買かえないよ。↗

  I can't buy a book this expensive.
• 多額たがくCommon
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveA word for amounts of money: large sums, hefty payments or expenses. For 'expensive' it is seldom the word you want — it describes the size of the sum, not an item as pricey.
  １０００ドルというのは、多額たがくの金かねだ。↗

  A thousand dollars is a large sum.
• 高いたかいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe plain adjective for something that costs a lot: use it when simply saying that goods, a meal or a room are expensive, or when asking about a price.
  そんな高たかい車くるまを買かう余裕よゆうはありません。↗

  I can't afford to buy such an expensive car.

Choose 「高い」 when simply saying something costs a lot, 高価 when describing an item as costly or valuable, and 多額 only for large sums of money rather than for pricey things.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 高価こうかhighly priced
• 多額たがくlarge (amount of money)
• 高直こうじきexpensive
• エクスペンシブexpensive
• 金食いかねくいmoney-eating
• 高いたかいexpensive
• 高貴こうきprecious
• 物入りものいりcostly