Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Price" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "price", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
価格
かかく (kakaku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
代金
だいきん (daikin)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "price" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 価格 and 代金.
In Japanese, 価格 (かかく (kakaku)) is typically associated with "price; cost; value (in monetary terms)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to the price, value, or cost of products or services. Often used as 価格競争 or 希望小売価格. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Price! "Haruka-san's hand-holding is priceless!" ...っ! P-Priceless! T-To say such an advanced romantic phrase! B-But since your hand is also of infinite value to me, keep holding it forever!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『かかく（価格）！『ハルカさんと手を繋ぐ価値は、プライスレス（無限大）です！』って…っ！プライスレスだなんて！バカ！…でも、あんたの手の温もりは、私にとっても世界最高の価値なんだからね！』.
On the other hand, 代金 (だいきん (daikin)) maps to "price, charge, cost, payment" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to the money paid for goods or services. Similar to 料金. A literal translation of "price" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "価格"
原材料費の高騰や円安の長期化に耐えかねて、多くの食品メーカーが商品の小売_______を一斉に引き上げる決断を下しました。
Unable to bear the soaring cost of raw materials and the prolonged depreciation of the yen, many food manufacturers made the decision to raise the retail prices of their products all at once.
Bilingual Context for "代金"
商品の代金はいくらですか。
How much is the payment for the product?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "原材料費の高騰や円安の長期化に耐えかねて、多くの食品メーカーが商品の小売_______を一斉に引き上げる決断を下しました。" (Meaning: "Unable to bear the soaring cost of raw materials and the prolonged depreciation of the yen, many food manufacturers made the decision to raise the retail prices of their products all at once.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "価格" fits here because it means "price; cost; value (in monetary terms)" in the context of: "Unable to bear the soaring cost of raw materials and the prolonged depreciation of the yen, many food manufacturers made the decision to raise the retail prices of their products all at once.". "代金" represents "price, charge, cost, payment".