Cost meanings in Japanese

費用 (ひよう, hiyou)

Example:

The cost of living is increasing.

生活費が増加しています。

What is the cost of this item?

この商品の費用はいくらですか？

Usage: FormalContext: Economics, finance, shopping

Note: This term is commonly used in formal discussions about expenses or prices.

値段 (ねだん, nedan)

Example:

The price of this book is too high.

この本の値段は高すぎます。

Can you lower the cost a bit?

もう少し値段を下げてもらえますか？

Usage: InformalContext: Everyday conversation, shopping

Note: This is a more casual way to refer to the cost or price of items.

代償 (だいしょう, daishou)

Example:

Success comes at a cost.

成功には代償が伴います。

We must consider the costs of our decisions.

私たちは決定の代償を考慮しなければなりません。

Usage: FormalContext: Philosophical, strategic discussions

Note: This term refers to the idea of sacrifice or what must be given up in exchange for something else.

コスト (こすと, kosuto)

Example:

We need to reduce our operating costs.

運営コストを削減する必要があります。

The project is over budget because of unforeseen costs.

予期しないコストのため、プロジェクトは予算を超えています。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Business, finance, project management

Note: This is a loanword from English and is commonly used in business contexts.

損失 (そんしつ, sonshitsu)

Example:

The cost of failure can be significant.

失敗のコストは大きいことがあります。

We have to account for potential costs in our analysis.

分析で潜在的な損失を考慮しなければなりません。

Usage: FormalContext: Financial loss, risk management

Note: This term is often used in discussions about losses or negative outcomes.

price

Price refers to the amount of money that is asked for or that must be paid for something.

Example: The price of the new phone is $500.

Note: While 'cost' often implies the amount spent to produce or obtain something, 'price' specifically refers to the amount of money required to purchase something.

expense

Expense refers to the cost required for something, especially for a particular purpose.

Example: Traveling can be quite an expense, especially if you stay in luxury hotels.

Note: Unlike 'cost' which can be a general term, 'expense' usually emphasizes the money spent on a specific purpose or activity.

charge

Charge refers to the amount of money that is asked for goods or services provided.

Example: The repair shop charged me $100 to fix my car.

Note: While 'cost' is more general, 'charge' specifically refers to the amount demanded for a service or product.

fee

Fee refers to a sum of money charged for professional services or for a privilege.

Example: The annual membership fee for the gym is $200.

Note: A 'fee' is usually a fixed amount of money charged for a specific service or privilege, whereas 'cost' can refer to the overall amount spent on something.

Cost an arm and a leg

This idiom means that something is very expensive.

Example: Buying a new car can cost an arm and a leg.

Note: This idiom refers to something being extremely costly, emphasizing the high price rather than just the general cost.

Count the cost

To carefully consider the potential price or consequences of something.

Example: Before starting a business, it's important to count the cost of investment and risks involved.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the act of evaluating the expenses or implications of a decision or action, rather than just the monetary value.

At all costs

To do whatever is necessary to achieve a goal, regardless of the difficulties or sacrifices involved.

Example: She was determined to succeed at all costs.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the extreme measures or sacrifices one is willing to make in order to achieve a particular outcome.

Pay the price

To suffer the consequences of one's actions or decisions.

Example: If you don't take care of your health now, you'll pay the price later on.

Note: This phrase focuses on facing the negative results or repercussions of a choice or behavior, rather than just the financial aspect.

Cost-effective

Producing good results without costing a lot of money.

Example: Investing in energy-efficient appliances can be a cost-effective way to reduce electricity bills.

Note: This term relates to efficiency in terms of achieving desired outcomes at a reasonable or optimal cost, rather than just the overall expense.

Cost a pretty penny

To be very expensive or costly.

Example: That designer handbag must have cost a pretty penny.

Note: This idiom highlights the significant or considerable amount of money spent on something, often with a sense of admiration for the item's worth.

Bear the cost

To accept or take on the financial burden or responsibility.

Example: As a responsible manager, you need to be prepared to bear the cost of any mistakes made by your team.

Note: This phrase emphasizes taking on the financial liability or accountability for something, rather than just the act of spending money.

Price tag

Refers to the label or tag with the cost of an item, emphasizing the monetary value of the product.

Example: I love this dress, but the price tag is too high for me.

Note: Focuses specifically on the amount of money associated with an item, rather than the overall concept of cost.

Set one back

Means the amount of money one needs to spend on something, highlighting the financial impact of a purchase.

Example: That new smartphone will set you back quite a bit, but it's worth it.

Note: Emphasizes the direct impact on one's finances when making a specific purchase.

Run up a bill

Refers to accumulating charges or costs, especially in the context of spending money in a continuous manner.

Example: Be careful not to run up a big bill at that fancy restaurant.

Note: Suggests the gradual accumulation of expenses over time, often associated with ongoing services or activities.

Bottom line

Refers to the most important result or fact about a situation, especially in terms of financial implications.

Example: The bottom line is, we need to cut costs if we want to stay in business.

Note: Focuses on the essential outcome or conclusion, often used to summarize the key point related to costs or finances.

Priced out

Means being unable to afford something due to the high cost or price.

Example: I wanted to buy a house in that neighborhood, but I was priced out by the soaring real estate costs.

Note: Indicates a situation where someone cannot meet the financial requirements for a particular item or service.

Foot the bill

Means to pay for something, especially a significant expense or bill.

Example: I'm happy to foot the bill for dinner tonight since it's your birthday.

Note: Specifically refers to taking on the responsibility of covering the cost of an expense or event.

The cost of living in this city is very high.

What is the cost of this product?

The cost of the repairs was more than we expected.

Cost - Verb (Verb) / Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense)

Lemma: cost

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): costs, cost

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): cost

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): cost, costed

Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): cost

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): costing

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): costs

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): cost

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): cost

Syllabification and Stress

cost Contains 1 syllables: cost

Phonetic transcription: ˈkȯst

cost , ˈkȯst (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

cost: 900 - 1000 (Extremely common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Cost