Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Price" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "price", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
値下げ
ねさげ (nesage)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
価格
かかく (kakaku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "price" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 値下げ and 価格.
In Japanese, 値下げ (ねさげ (nesage)) is typically associated with "price reduction; discount; price cut" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to lowering the price of goods or services. Opposite: 値上げ. Often used as セールで値下げ. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Price cut! "I requested a discount on Haruka-san's strictness!" ...っ! T-To ask for a discount on my strictness! B-Baka! My strictness is just the other side of my deep love! No discounts on my doting!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ねさげ（値下げ）よ！『ハルカ部長、ツンの部分の値下げキャンペーンは実施していませんか？』って…っ！ツンの値下げ！バカ！私のツンはあんたを愛しすぎる照れ隠しなんだから、値引き不可！デレは毎日大放出してるでしょ！』.
On the other hand, 価格 (かかく (kakaku)) maps to "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！』. A literal translation of "price" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "値下げ"
競合店舗との激しい価格競争に勝ち抜くために、週末限定で人気商品の大幅な_______セールが実施されました。
In order to survive the intense price competition with competing stores, a major discount sale of popular products was conducted limited to weekends.
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.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "競合店舗との激しい価格競争に勝ち抜くために、週末限定で人気商品の大幅な_______セールが実施されました。" (Meaning: "In order to survive the intense price competition with competing stores, a major discount sale of popular products was conducted limited to weekends.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "値下げ" fits here because it means "price reduction; discount; price cut" in the context of: "In order to survive the intense price competition with competing stores, a major discount sale of popular products was conducted limited to weekends.". "価格" represents "price; cost; value (in monetary terms)".