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A1 noun #4,500 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

高価

kouka Top 4,500

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At the A1 level, you primarily learn 'takai' to mean expensive. 'Kōka' is introduced as a more 'adult' or 'book' version of 'takai'. You should recognize it when you see it in a store or a simple textbook sentence. Focus on the fact that it means 'expensive' and usually refers to things like watches, jewelry, or gifts. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but knowing that 'kōka na' + 'noun' means 'an expensive item' will help you understand more formal Japanese. It's a 'na-adjective', so remember to add 'na' before the object you are describing.

At A2, you start to see the difference between casual and formal Japanese. 'Kōka' is used when you want to be more polite or descriptive. For example, instead of saying 'kono tokei wa takai desu' (this watch is expensive), you might say 'kore wa kōka na tokei desu' (this is an expensive watch). You will also see this word on signs in Japan, especially 'Kōka Kaitori' (We buy for high prices). At this level, you should be able to identify the kanji (高 - high, 価 - value) and understand that it only refers to money, not height.

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By B1, you should be using 'kōka' in appropriate contexts, such as describing luxury goods or business assets. You should understand the difference between 'kōka' (expensive item), 'kōgaku' (large sum of money), and 'kōkyū' (high quality/class). You'll encounter 'kōka' in news reports and more complex reading materials. You should also be comfortable with its negative form 'kōka dewa nai' and its use in compound words like 'kōkahin' (valuables). This word helps you move away from 'children's Japanese' and into 'society's Japanese'.

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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuance that 'kōka' provides. It is an objective term. When you use 'kōka', you are stating a fact about the item's market value rather than expressing a personal feeling that the price is 'too high'. You will see 'kōka' in literature to describe opulent settings and in academic or economic texts to discuss the value of resources or products. You should also be familiar with formal antonyms like 'anka' (inexpensive) and how to use them in professional emails or reports.

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For C1 learners, 'kōka' is a standard part of your professional and academic vocabulary. You should be able to use it to discuss complex topics like the 'kōka na dōnyū kosuto' (expensive implementation costs) of new technology or the 'kōka na sozai' (expensive materials) used in architecture. You should understand how 'kōka' interacts with other formal terms and be able to explain the subtle differences between 'kōka', 'kichō', and 'shinki' (rare/novel). Your usage should be flawless, reflecting an understanding of the word's formal register and its social implications in gift-giving and business.

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At the C2 level, you use 'kōka' with the same precision as a native speaker in high-level discourse. You understand its role in creating specific tones in literature—perhaps using it to imply a character's pretentiousness or to emphasize the intrinsic worth of a historical artifact. You are also aware of its use in legal and insurance contexts where 'kōkahin' has specific definitions. You can navigate the most formal levels of Japanese society, from high-end business negotiations to academic lectures on economics, using 'kōka' and its related terms to convey exact meanings about value and cost.

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高価 in 30 Sekunden

高価 (kōka) means 'expensive' or 'high-priced' in a formal and objective way.
It is a na-adjective used for luxury items like jewelry, cars, and antiques.
Unlike 'takai', it never refers to physical height, only to monetary value.
It is common in business, news, and formal writing to sound professional.

The Japanese word 高価 (こうか - kōka) is a sophisticated term used to describe items that possess a high monetary value or are significantly expensive. While beginner students often rely on the word 高い (takai) to express that something costs a lot, 高価 elevates the conversation to a more formal, objective, and descriptive level. It is the difference between saying something is 'pricey' and describing it as 'costly' or 'valuable' in English. This word is composed of two kanji: 高 (high) and 価 (value/price). When combined, they literally mean 'high value.' In daily life, you won't usually hear someone use 高価 to describe a slightly overpriced cup of coffee; instead, it is reserved for luxury cars, diamond jewelry, rare antiques, and high-end electronics. It carries a nuance of respect for the object's worth, suggesting that the high price is justified by its quality or rarity.

Objective Worth: Unlike 'takai', which can be a subjective complaint about a price you don't like, 'kōka' is an objective statement about the market value of an item.
Formal Register: It is frequently used in written reports, catalogs, news broadcasts, and formal business settings to maintain a professional tone.
Grammatical Flexibility: It functions primarily as a 'na-adjective' (requires 'na' before a noun) or a noun in compound phrases.

美術館には、非常に高価な絵画が展示されています。
(Bijutsukan ni wa, hijō ni kōka na kaiga ga tenji sarete imasu.)
— Translation: Extremely valuable paintings are on display in the art museum.

Understanding the distinction between 高価 and its synonyms is crucial for reaching N4 and N3 levels of proficiency. While 'takai' covers everything from a 500-yen apple to a 5-million-yen car, 'kōka' starts appearing when the price tag becomes a defining characteristic of the object. For instance, in a jewelry store, the salesperson will use 'kōka' to describe the gems to sound professional and emphasize the investment value. Conversely, using 'kōka' in a casual conversation with friends about a cheap t-shirt that cost 2,000 yen would sound unnaturally stiff or even sarcastic.

Furthermore, 高価 is often paired with specific adverbs like 'hijō ni' (extremely) or 'gokute' (exceedingly) to emphasize the rarity. It is also the antonym of 安価 (anka), which means low-priced or inexpensive in a formal context. If you are reading a Japanese contract or a product description for a high-end watch, you will almost certainly see 'kōka' rather than 'takai'. This word is a bridge to more academic and professional Japanese, moving away from the simple adjectives of childhood and into the nuanced vocabulary of adulthood.

Using 高価 (kōka) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a na-adjective. This means when it modifies a noun directly, you must attach な (na) to it. For example, 'an expensive gift' is 高価な贈り物. If you are using it at the end of a sentence to describe a subject, you use the standard copula だ (da) or です (desu), such as この時計は高価です (This watch is expensive).

Modifying Nouns: Structure: [Noun] + な + [Noun]. Example: 高価な機材 (kōka na kizai) - Expensive equipment.
In Compound Nouns: Sometimes used directly: 高価買取 (kōka kaitori) - High-price buying/trade-in (common on shop signs).
With Adverbs: It is often preceded by degree markers like 'hijō ni' (extremely) or 'wari-to' (relatively).

彼は高価な材料を使って料理を作った。
(Kare wa kōka na zairyō o tsukatte ryōri o tsukutta.)
— Translation: He made the dish using expensive ingredients.

One important distinction is the frequency of use. While you might use 高い ten times a day, you might only use 高価 once or twice when discussing something of genuine significance. It is particularly common in the context of gift-giving (zōtō), where the value of the gift is a sign of respect. For instance, 'kōka na o-miyage' (an expensive souvenir) implies a level of quality that goes beyond the standard tourist trinket.

In business Japanese, 高価 is used in proposals and reports. For example, 'kōka na kikai no dōnyū' (the introduction of expensive machinery). Using this term shows that the speaker is considering the financial investment seriously. It is also found in legal contexts, such as 'kōka-hin' (expensive goods/valuables), which refers to items that require special insurance or handling. In summary, use 'kōka' when you want to sound precise, respectful, and professional about the value of an object.

You will encounter 高価 (kōka) in several specific environments in Japan. The most common place is in retail and advertising, specifically for high-end luxury brands. Department stores like Mitsukoshi or Isetan often use this word in their promotional materials to describe fine jewelry, silk kimonos, or premium sake. When you see a sign that says 高価買取 (Kōka Kaitori) outside a second-hand shop or a 'Book-Off', it is a promise that they will pay you a 'high price' for your used luxury items or electronics.

News and Media: News anchors use 'kōka' when reporting on theft of valuables or the market price of rare resources like gold or truffles.
Museums and Galleries: Audio guides and plaques use 'kōka' to describe the historical and monetary significance of artifacts.
Business Meetings: When discussing budgets and procurement, 'kōka' is the standard term for high-cost assets.

店員：こちらの時計は非常に高価ですが、一生ものです。
(Ten'in: Kochira no tokei wa hijō ni kōka desu ga, isshō-mono desu.)
— Translation: Clerk: This watch is very expensive, but it is a lifetime item.

In television dramas (especially those involving wealthy families or crime investigations), 高価 is used to emphasize the stakes. A detective might say, 'Kōka na kabin ga kowasarete imasu' (An expensive vase has been broken). In this context, 'takai' would sound too casual and fail to convey the gravity of the damage. Similarly, in documentaries about nature or technology, 'kōka' is used to describe rare metals like platinum or the cost of space exploration equipment.

Finally, you will find it in literature. Authors use 高価 to set a scene of opulence or to highlight the disparity between characters. If a character lives in a house filled with 'kōka na kagu' (expensive furniture), the reader immediately understands their social standing. It is a word that paints a picture of luxury and status without needing many other descriptors.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is using 高価 (kōka) where 高い (takai) is required. While they both translate to 'expensive,' they are not interchangeable in all contexts. The most glaring mistake is using 高価 to describe physical height. In Japanese, 'takai' means both 'high' and 'expensive,' but 高価 is exclusively related to price. Saying 'kōka na yama' for an expensive mountain is technically possible (if you are buying the mountain), but it is never used to mean a 'high mountain'.

Over-formality: Using 'kōka' for mundane items like a sandwich or a bus ticket. It sounds weirdly dramatic or sarcastic.
Particle Confusion: Forgetting the 'na' when using it as an adjective. 'Kōka hon' is incorrect; it must be 'Kōka na hon'.
Subjectivity: Using 'kōka' to complain. 'Kōka desu ne!' sounds like a compliment on the item's value, whereas 'Takai desu ne!' sounds like a complaint about the price.

❌ このリンゴは高価すぎます。
✅ このリンゴは高すぎます。
(Sentence 1 is too formal for an apple; Sentence 2 is natural.)

Another common pitfall is the confusion with 高額 (kōgaku). While 高価 describes the *item* as being valuable, 高額 describes the *amount of money* itself. You would say 'kōgaku na ryōkin' (a high-priced fee) rather than 'kōka na ryōkin'. Think of 'kōka' as 'high value' and 'kōgaku' as 'high sum'.

Lastly, learners sometimes use 高価 when they mean 'precious' in an emotional sense. For emotional value (like a child's drawing), use 大切 (taisetsu) or 貴重 (kichō). 高価 almost always implies that if you sold it, you would get a lot of money for it. Avoid using it for things whose value is purely sentimental.

To truly master Japanese, you need to know when to choose 高価 (kōka) over its many synonyms. Each word has a specific 'flavor' or register that dictates its use. The most basic alternative is 高い (takai), which is the all-purpose word for high price or height. Use 'takai' in 90% of daily conversations. Use 高価 for the remaining 10% when you want to sound more educated or when describing luxury.

高額 (Kōgaku): Refers to a 'large sum' of money. Used for fees, taxes, salaries, or winnings (e.g., kōgaku tōsen - winning a large sum in the lottery).
貴重 (Kichō): Means 'precious' or 'valuable' in terms of rarity or importance, not just money. A 'kichō na taiken' is a valuable experience.
贅沢 (Zeitaku): Means 'luxurious' or 'extravagant'. It focuses on the lifestyle or the act of spending rather than the price tag itself.
高級 (Kōkyū): Means 'high class' or 'high grade'. Used for hotels, restaurants, and brands (e.g., kōkyū hoteru - luxury hotel).

比較：
1. 高価なペン (Expensive pen - focus on price)
2. 高級なペン (High-quality pen - focus on brand/status)
3. 貴重なペン (Rare pen - focus on uniqueness)

When choosing between 高価 and 高級, think about what you want to emphasize. If you want to say a car costs a lot of money, use 'kōka'. If you want to say the car is fancy and prestigious, use 'kōkyū'. Often, a 'kōkyū' item is also 'kōka', but not always. A 'kōka' item might just be made of expensive materials without being from a famous brand.

In summary, 高価 is your go-to word for objective high value. Use it when describing assets, jewelry, antiques, or luxury goods where the price tag is a key feature. By diversifying your vocabulary with these alternatives, you will sound more like a native speaker who understands the subtle social and economic contexts of the Japanese language.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The kanji '価' contains the radical for 'person' (亻) and the character for 'west' (西) + 'money' (貝 - shell). It originally referred to the price set by a person for a commodity.

Aussprachehilfe

UK koːka

US koʊkə

Atamadaka (Initial high pitch): KO-o-ka.

Reimt sich auf

効果 (kōka - effect) 硬貨 (kōka - coin) 降下 (kōka - descent) 校歌 (kōka - school song) 公価 (kōka - official price) 工科 (kōka - engineering) 紅花 (kōka - safflower) 高架 (kōka - elevated structure)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'koka' with a short 'o' (sounds like 'small fruit').
Confusing with 'kokka' (national/state) which has a double 'k'.
Using 'koka' for height.
Misidentifying it as an i-adjective (*kokai).
Adding 'no' instead of 'na' (koka no tokei).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The kanji are common but the second one (価) requires some practice.

Schreiben 3/5

Writing '価' with correct stroke order is slightly tricky for beginners.

Sprechen 1/5

Easy to pronounce with two simple syllables.

Hören 2/5

Must distinguish from 'kōka' (effect) or 'kokka' (nation).

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

高い (takai) お金 (okane) 物 (mono) 買う (kau) 安い (yasui)

Als Nächstes lernen

高額 (kōgaku) 高級 (kōkyū) 貴重 (kichō) 価値 (kachi) 価格 (kakaku)

Fortgeschritten

奢侈品 (shashihin - luxury goods) 鑑定 (kantei - appraisal) 減価償却 (genka shōkyaku - depreciation)

Wichtige Grammatik

Na-Adjective Modification

高価な (kōka na) + Noun.

Degree Adverbs

非常に高価 (Hijō ni kōka - Very expensive).

Potential Form with Cost

高価すぎて買えない (Too expensive to buy).

Compound Noun Formation

高価買取 (Kōka-kaitori).

Negative Politeness

高価ではありません (It is not expensive - formal).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

これは高価な時計です。

This is an expensive watch.

Uses 'na' to connect the adjective to the noun.

高価なプレゼントをもらいました。

I received an expensive present.

Present is 'purezento'.

そのカメラは高価ですか？

Is that camera expensive?

Question form using 'desu ka'.

高価なペンを買いました。

I bought an expensive pen.

Past tense verb 'kaimashita'.

このバッグはあまり高価ではありません。

This bag is not very expensive.

Negative form 'dewa arimasen'.

高価な服が好きです。

I like expensive clothes.

The particle 'ga' is used with 'suki'.

それは高価な材料です。

That is an expensive material.

Material is 'zairyō'.

高価なものは大切にしてください。

Please take care of expensive things.

The phrase 'taisetsu ni suru' means to take care of.

店には高価な品物がたくさんあります。

There are many expensive items in the store.

Item is 'shinamono'.

高価な指輪をなくしてしまいました。

I accidentally lost an expensive ring.

Uses '~te shimau' for accidental action.

この車は高価すぎて買えません。

This car is too expensive, so I can't buy it.

Uses '~sugiru' (too much) and potential negative 'kaenai'.

彼はいつも高価な靴を履いています。

He is always wearing expensive shoes.

'Haite iru' is the state of wearing.

高価な食器を使うのが怖いです。

I'm afraid of using expensive tableware.

Tableware is 'shokki'.

これは世界で一番高価な絵です。

This is the most expensive painting in the world.

'Ichiban' means 'the most'.

高価なものを買うときはよく考えます。

When I buy expensive things, I think carefully.

Uses 'toki' (when).

母は高価な香水を持っています。

My mother has expensive perfume.

Perfume is 'kōsui'.

高価な機材を導入することに決めました。

We decided to introduce expensive equipment.

Equipment is 'kizai'; 'dōnyū' means introduction/implementation.

このバイオリンは非常に高価なものです。

This violin is an extremely expensive one.

Uses 'mono' to noun-ify the concept.

高価なプレゼントは、かえって相手を困らせることもあります。

Sometimes expensive gifts can actually trouble the recipient.

'Kaette' means 'on the contrary'.

彼は高価な趣味を持っています。

He has an expensive hobby.

Hobby is 'shumi'.

このレストランは高価な食材を惜しみなく使っています。

This restaurant uses expensive ingredients without stint.

'Oshiminaku' means 'generously/without holding back'.

高価な美術品を保護するために警備を強化した。

Security was strengthened to protect expensive artworks.

Artworks is 'bijutsuhin'.

修理代が高価になるなら、新しいのを買います。

If the repair cost becomes expensive, I'll buy a new one.

Conditional 'nara'.

高価買取のキャンペーンを実施中です。

A high-price purchase campaign is currently underway.

Compound noun 'kōka-kaitori'.

高価な宝石類は金庫に保管してください。

Please store expensive jewelry in the safe.

Jewelry is 'hōsekirui'; 'kinko' is a safe.

そのプロジェクトには高価な維持費がかかる。

The project incurs expensive maintenance costs.

Maintenance cost is 'ijishi'.

高価な商品を扱う際は、細心の注意を払ってください。

When handling expensive products, please pay the utmost attention.

'Saishin no chūi o harau' is a set phrase.

高価なワインの味を理解するには経験が必要です。

Experience is necessary to understand the taste of expensive wine.

Experience is 'keiken'.

高価な建物が立ち並ぶエリアに引っ越した。

I moved to an area lined with expensive buildings.

'Tachinarabu' means to stand in a row.

彼は高価な時計を自慢するのが好きだ。

He likes to show off his expensive watch.

'Jiman suru' means to boast/show off.

この布地は高価なので、裁断には注意が必要だ。

Because this fabric is expensive, care is needed in cutting.

Fabric is 'nunoji'; 'saidan' is cutting/tailoring.

高価な投資を回収するには時間がかかる。

It takes time to recover an expensive investment.

Investment is 'tōshi'; 'kaishū' is recovery.

高価な研究設備を整えることで、新薬の開発を加速させる。

By setting up expensive research facilities, we will accelerate the development of new drugs.

'Setsubi' means facilities; 'akasoku saseru' is to accelerate.

高価な骨董品には、しばしば偽物が混じっている。

Counterfeits are often mixed among expensive antiques.

Antiques is 'kottōhin'; 'nisemono' is counterfeit.

高価なブランドイメージを維持するためのマーケティング戦略。

A marketing strategy to maintain an expensive brand image.

'Senryaku' means strategy.

高価な対価を払ってでも手に入れたい情報がある。

There is information I want to obtain even if I have to pay an expensive price (compensation).

'Taika' refers to compensation or price paid.

高価な素材を使用しているため、製品の耐久性は抜群だ。

Because expensive materials are used, the product's durability is outstanding.

Durability is 'taikyūsei'.

高価な贈答品は、時として収賄と見なされる恐れがある。

Expensive gifts can sometimes be feared to be seen as bribery.

'Shūwai' means bribery.

高価な土地を所有しているだけで、多額の税金がかかる。

Just by owning expensive land, a large amount of tax is incurred.

'Tagaku' means a large sum.

高価な衣装を身にまとった俳優たちが舞台に現れた。

Actors clad in expensive costumes appeared on the stage.

'Mi ni matou' is a literary way to say wearing.

高価な代償を払って得た平和は、非常に脆いものだった。

The peace obtained by paying an expensive price (sacrifice) was a very fragile thing.

'Daishō' means compensation/sacrifice; 'moroi' means fragile.

高価な装飾品が施された宮殿の内部は、見る者を圧倒する。

The interior of the palace, adorned with expensive ornaments, overwhelms the viewer.

'Sōshokuhin' means ornaments; 'attō suru' means to overwhelm.

高価な芸術作品の価値は、市場の動向によって激しく変動する。

The value of expensive artworks fluctuates violently depending on market trends.

'Dōkō' means trends; 'hendō' means fluctuation.

高価な医療技術の普及は、倫理的な議論を呼び起こしている。

The spread of expensive medical technology is sparking ethical debates.

'Rinriteki' means ethical.

高価なスパイスが金と同等に取引されていた時代があった。

There was an era when expensive spices were traded on par with gold.

'Dōtō' means equal/equivalent.

高価な宝石の輝きは、人間の虚栄心を象徴しているかのようだ。

The brilliance of expensive gems seems to symbolize human vanity.

'Kyoeishin' means vanity; 'shōchō' means symbol.

高価な原材料の枯渇が、産業全体に深刻な影を落としている。

The depletion of expensive raw materials is casting a serious shadow over the entire industry.

'Kokatsu' means depletion.

高価な対価を要求する彼の態度は、交渉を難航させた。

His attitude of demanding an expensive price made the negotiations difficult.

'Nankō' means to run into difficulties/rough sailing.

Synonyme

高い高額高値を呼ぶ貴重贅沢

Gegenteile

安価安い格安

Häufige Kollokationen

高価な贈り物

高価な宝石

高価な材料

高価買取

非常に高価

高価な機材

高価な買い物

高価な美術品

高価な薬

高価な土地

Häufige Phrasen

高価なもの

— An expensive thing/item. General usage.

高価なものは金庫に入れましょう。

高価な代償

— A high price to pay (metaphorical/sacrifice).

自由のために高価な代償を払った。

高価な趣味

— An expensive hobby (like collecting cars).

ゴルフは高価な趣味だと言われる。

高価な服

— Designer or expensive clothing.

彼女はいつも高価な服を着ている。

高価な機材

— Expensive tools or machinery.

実験には高価な機材が必要だ。

高価なプレゼント

— A costly gift given on special occasions.

誕生日に高価なプレゼントをもらった。

高価な食材

— Expensive cooking ingredients like truffles.

高価な食材を使ってディナーを作る。

高価な時計

— A luxury watch (Rolex, etc.).

父から高価な時計を譲り受けた。

高価なバッグ

— A luxury brand handbag.

彼女は高価なバッグを自慢した。

高価な指輪

— An expensive ring (usually diamond).

彼は高価な指輪でプロポーズした。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

高価 vs 効果 (Kōka)

Pronounced the same but means 'effect' or 'result'. Context determines the meaning.

高価 vs 硬貨 (Kōka)

Pronounced the same but means 'coin'. Usually written in kanji or determined by context.

高価 vs 降下 (Kōka)

Pronounced the same but means 'descent' or 'falling'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"高価な代償を払う"

— To pay a heavy price or make a great sacrifice for something.

成功のために高価な代償を払った。

Literary

"高価な授業料"

— A metaphorical 'expensive tuition' paid by making a costly mistake.

詐欺に遭ったのは高価な授業料だった。

Metaphorical

"高価な置物"

— Something expensive but useless (like a white elephant).

その機械は今や高価な置物だ。

Sarcastic

"高価な飾り"

— Something expensive that is only for show.

彼の知識は高価な飾りに過ぎない。

Critical

"高価な紙屑"

— Something that was expensive but is now worthless.

倒産した会社の株は高価な紙屑になった。

Cynical

"高価な夢"

— A dream or goal that requires a lot of money.

宇宙旅行はまだ高価な夢だ。

Figurative

"高価な遊び"

— An expensive pastime or gamble.

カジノは高価な遊びだ。

Neutral

"高価な買い物をする"

— To make a significant financial commitment.

人生で一番高価な買い物は家だ。

Common

"高価な代物"

— A 'costly article' or a 'formidable thing'.

これはなかなかの高価な代物だ。

Slightly dated

"高価な命"

— A life of great value (often in humanitarian contexts).

高価な命を救うために全力を尽くす。

Poetic

Leicht verwechselbar

高価 vs 高い

Both mean expensive.

Takai is general and can mean height. Koka is formal and only means price/value.

高いビル (Tall building) vs 高価なビル (Expensive building).

高価 vs 高額

Both relate to high money.

Kōgaku describes the 'sum' (money itself). Kōka describes the 'object'.

高額な報酬 (High reward) vs 高価な時計 (Expensive watch).

高価 vs 高級

Both imply luxury.

Kōkyū is about 'class' or 'rank'. Kōka is about 'price'.

高級ホテル (High-class hotel) vs 高価なホテル (Hotel that is expensive to buy).

高価 vs 貴重

Both mean valuable.

Kichō is about rarity and importance. Kōka is about monetary cost.

貴重な思い出 (Precious memory) vs 高価な宝石 (Expensive gem).

高価 vs 大切

Both mean 'valued'.

Taisetsu is emotional importance. Kōka is financial value.

大切な友達 (Important friend) vs 高価な指輪 (Expensive ring).

Satzmuster

これは高価な[Noun]です。

これは高価なペンです。

[Noun]は高価ですが、[Positive trait]です。

この車は高価ですが、とても速いです。

[Noun]は非常に高価なので、[Action]。

その時計は非常に高価なので、買いませんでした。

高価な[Noun]を[Verb]のは難しい。

高価な機材を維持するのは難しい。

高価な[Noun]を導入するメリットは[Noun]だ。

高価な研究設備を導入するメリットは効率化だ。

高価な代償を払ってでも、[Goal]べきだ。

高価な代償を払ってでも、自由を守るべきだ。

[Noun]は高価ですか？

そのカメラは高価ですか？

高価な[Noun]が欲しいです。

高価な指輪が欲しいです。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

価値 (kachi - value)

価格 (kakaku - price)

評価 (hyōka - evaluation)

代価 (daika - price/cost)

Verben

価する (atai-suru - to be worth/deserve)

Adjektive

高い (takai - high/expensive)

安価な (anka-na - inexpensive)

Verwandt

高級 (high class)

高額 (high sum)

貴重 (precious)

高価品 (valuables)

物価 (prices/cost of living)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in written Japanese and formal spoken Japanese; rare in casual slang.

Häufige Fehler

高価なビル (Kōka na biru) to mean a tall building. → 高いビル (Takai biru).
Kōka only refers to price, never height.
高価い (Kōkai) as an i-adjective. → 高価な (Kōka na).
Kōka is a na-adjective, it does not end in 'i'.
高価の時計 (Kōka no tokei). → 高価な時計 (Kōka na tokei).
Na-adjectives use 'na' to modify nouns, not 'no'.
Using 'kōka' for a high salary. → 高額な給料 (Kōgaku na kyūryō).
Salary is an 'amount' (kōgaku), not an 'object' (kōka).
高価くない (Kōkakunai) for 'not expensive'. → 高価ではない (Kōka dewa nai).
You cannot conjugate a na-adjective like an i-adjective.

Tipps

Context Matters

Use 'kōka' for things that are naturally expensive, like diamonds. Using it for a 10-dollar sandwich sounds like a joke.

The 'Na' Rule

Always remember '高価な' when describing a noun. It's the most common mistake for beginners.

Gift Giving

In Japan, the value of a gift (kōka-sa) often represents the social distance and respect between the giver and receiver.

Professionalism

In business reports, replace 'takai' with 'kōka' to sound more objective and authoritative.

Kanji Breakdown

High (高) + Value (価). If you remember this literal meaning, you'll never use it for height.

Pitch Accent

The word is 'atamadaka', meaning the first syllable is high. This helps distinguish it from other 'koka' words.

Expand Your Range

Learn 'kōgaku' (high sum) alongside 'kōka' to master financial Japanese.

The Coca-Cola Trick

Remember: Expensive Coca-Cola = Kōka.

Kango vs Wago

'Kōka' is a kango (Chinese origin), making it sound more intellectual than the wago (Japanese origin) 'takai'.

Avoid Complaints

If you want to complain about a price, use 'takai'. If you want to admire a luxury item, use 'kōka'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'COCA-cola' (sounds like kōka) served in a 'GOLD' (high value) cup. It's too high-priced for a regular drink!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a diamond ring sitting on a mountain peak (High/高) with a price tag (Value/価) attached to it.

Word Web

Jewelry Luxury Antiques Price Tag Expensive Formal Business Assets

Herausforderung

Try to find three items in your room that you would describe as 'kōka' (expensive/valuable) and three you would just call 'takai'.

Wortherkunft

Derived from Middle Chinese roots. '高' (high) and '価' (price/value). It entered Japanese as a Sino-Japanese compound (kango).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A state where the price or value of something is elevated.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Kultureller Kontext

Avoid using 'kōka' to describe people or their worth; it is strictly for objects and materials.

English speakers often use 'expensive' for everything. Japanese speakers use 'kōka' to specifically highlight the 'value' aspect.

The 'Kōka-na-Tokei' (Expensive Watch) trope in anime for rich characters. News reports on the 'Kōka-na-Kottōhin' (Expensive Antiques) in the Tokyo National Museum. Luxury brand slogans in Ginza.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Shopping at a luxury store

高価な品物ですね (It's an expensive item, isn't it?)
高価なものはありますか？ (Do you have any high-end items?)
高価すぎて手が出ません (It's too expensive for me to afford.)
高価な時計を探しています (I'm looking for an expensive watch.)

Business procurement

高価な機材の導入 (Introduction of expensive equipment)
高価な投資になります (It will be an expensive investment)
費用が高価すぎる (The cost is too expensive)
高価な材料の調達 (Procuring expensive materials)

Art Museum

高価な美術品 (Expensive artworks)
高価なコレクション (Expensive collection)
高価な歴史的遺産 (Expensive historical heritage)
高価な絵画 (Expensive painting)

Gift Giving

高価な贈り物をありがとう (Thank you for the expensive gift)
高価なものは気を使います (Expensive things make me feel indebted/nervous)
高価なプレゼントを選ぶ (Choosing an expensive present)
高価なお土産 (Expensive souvenir)

Second-hand Shop

高価買取中 (High-price buyback in progress)
高価で売れました (It sold for a high price)
高価なものを査定する (Appraising expensive items)
高価な中古品 (Expensive used goods)

Gesprächseinstiege

"今までで一番高価な買い物は何ですか？ (What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought?)"

"高価な時計を持つことについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about owning an expensive watch?)"

"高価なプレゼントをもらったら、どう感じますか？ (How do you feel if you receive an expensive gift?)"

"高価な食材を使った料理を食べたことがありますか？ (Have you ever eaten a dish made with expensive ingredients?)"

"なぜ高価なブランド品は人気があるのでしょうか？ (Why do you think expensive brand items are popular?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

あなたが持っている一番高価なものについて書いてください。 (Write about the most expensive thing you own.)

もし100万円あったら、どんな高価なものを買いたいですか？ (If you had 1 million yen, what expensive thing would you want to buy?)

「高価なもの」と「大切なもの」の違いは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the difference between 'expensive things' and 'important things'?)

高価なプレゼントを贈る文化についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the culture of giving expensive gifts?)

最近買った高価なものと、その理由を説明してください。 (Explain an expensive thing you bought recently and the reason why.)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'kōka' only refers to price or value. For height, you must use 'takai' (高い).

It is both. It functions as a na-adjective (高価な) and can also be used as a noun in compounds (高価買取).

Since it's a na-adjective, you say '高価ではありません' (formal) or '高価じゃない' (casual).

Use 'kōka' to sound more professional, objective, or to emphasize that something is a luxury item.

Generally, yes. It suggests high value, whereas 'takai' can sometimes imply a price is unfairly high.

Yes, but usually only for luxury ingredients like truffles or high-end dining, not for a regular lunch.

The formal opposite is '安価' (anka - inexpensive). The casual opposite is '安い' (yasui - cheap).

Yes, it typically appears around the N3 level, but is useful to know even earlier for reading signs.

No, this would sound very strange and potentially offensive. It is only for objects.

'Kōka' is the price tag; 'kōkyū' is the quality/status. A high-quality item is usually expensive, but they focus on different aspects.

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