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
値上
ねあげ (neage)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "price" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 値下げ and 値上.
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, 値上 (ねあげ (neage)) maps to "price rise; price hike" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to the act of raising prices. Often used with する as a verb. 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 "値上"
原材料の高騰により、商品の値上げを決定しました。
Due to rising raw material costs, we decided to hike the prices of our products.
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.". "値上" represents "price rise; price hike".