How to say "price" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 価格かかくnounPrice viewed as an economic figure: the money value of goods, services, or assets. Typical of business, economics, and commercial writing, where prices are compared, listed, or analyzed rather than asked at a shop counter.
- 値段ねだんnounThe everyday word for the price of an item — what you see on a tag or ask about when shopping; 'the price is high' about something you want to buy is naturally said with it.
- 代金だいきんnounThe amount of money actually paid or owed for goods or services in a transaction — the charge you settle. Typical when talking about paying, sending, or receiving payment for a purchase or a service.
- nounA katakana loanword that is seldom the word you want in ordinary sentences; it turns up mainly in commercial display — price tags and signage — while actual talk about prices uses 値段 or 価格.
- 時価じかno-adjectiveThe price of something as it stands right now — the current market value, which moves with the market. Used in finance and for goods or menu items priced at the day's going rate.
Use 値段 for the everyday price of an item, 価格 for price as an economic figure, 代金 for the money actually paid in a transaction, 時価 for the current market price, and 「プライス」 seldom outside shop signage.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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