An inexpensive item or service that requires little money.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to a low price or cost.
- Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
- Can imply poor quality depending on context.
Overview
- 1概要：「安い」は、物品やサービスの価格が標準よりも低い状態を指す、日本語で最も基本的な形容詞の一つです。単に金額が少ないだけでなく、コストパフォーマンスが良いというポジティブなニュアンスや、単に品質が低いというネガティブなニュアンスの両方を含んで使われることがあります。2) 使用パターン：名詞を修飾する場合（例：安い服）と、述語として使う場合（例：この靴は安い）の両方で頻繁に用いられます。また、「安く買う」「安く売る」のように、動詞「買う・売る」と組み合わせて副詞的に活用されることも一般的です。3) 一般的な文脈：日常生活の買い物、レストランの価格比較、セール情報の共有など、金銭が関わるあらゆる場面で使用されます。特に「安っぽい（cheap-looking）」という言葉に変化すると、品質への批判的な意味合いが強まります。4) 類語との比較：「低価格（ていかかく）」はビジネスや広告で使われる硬い表現です。「手頃（てごろ）」は、価格がちょうど良く買いやすいというポジティブな意味が強調されます。「安価（あんか）」は書き言葉で使われることが多く、価格が低いという客観的な事実を述べる際に適しています。
Examples
このバッグはとても安いです。
everydayThis bag is very cheap.
低価格で高品質な製品を提供します。
formalWe provide low-priced, high-quality products.
もっと安いのがいいな。
informalI want something cheaper.
安価な材料で製造されている。
academicIt is manufactured with inexpensive materials.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
安物買いの銭失い
Buy cheap, buy twice (Penny wise, pound foolish)
安く済ませる
Do something on a budget
お買い得
A good bargain
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to a small amount of money rather than the general quality of being inexpensive. Used mostly in formal or legal contexts.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '安い' in casual and neutral settings. For formal business writing, consider '低価格' or '安価'. Be careful not to use it to describe human worth, as it is highly offensive.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes use '安い' to describe a person's status, which is incorrect. Also, confusing it with '低い' (low), which refers to height or level, not price. Always ensure the subject is a product or service.
Tips
Use with adverbs for emphasis
Add adverbs like 'とても' (very) or 'かなり' (quite) to emphasize the degree. For example, 'とても安い' means 'very cheap'.
Avoid using for people
Never use '安い' to describe a person's character or value. It sounds extremely rude and dehumanizing.
Value for money in Japan
Japanese consumers highly value 'cost-performance' (コスパ). '安い' is often used to praise high-quality items that are sold at a low price.
Word Origin
The kanji '安' combines a roof and a woman, symbolizing peace and stability. Historically, this concept of stability was extended to describe stable, reasonable prices.
Cultural Context
In Japan, '安い' is often associated with the '100-yen shop' culture. It reflects a societal appreciation for finding great value in everyday items.
Memory Tip
Think of the kanji '安' as a woman (女) sitting peacefully under a roof (宀). When you feel safe and settled under a roof, you are at peace, just like a bargain price makes your wallet feel at peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「安い」は日常会話で広く使われる一般的な表現です。「低価格」はビジネスやニュースなどで使われる硬い表現で、より客観的でフォーマルな響きがあります。
「安っぽい」は、見た目が粗末で品質が悪そうに見えることを意味します。単に価格が低いだけでなく、高級感がないという否定的な評価が含まれます。
店員が客に対して「値引きをする」という意味で使います。また、自分でコストを抑える工夫をするときにも「生活費を安くする」のように使えます。
はい、その通りです。「安い」は価格が低いことを指し、「高い」は価格が高いことを指す対義語の関係にあります。
Test Yourself
この店は野菜が___です。
野菜の価格について述べているため、価格が低いことを表す「安い」が適切です。
Score: /1
Summary
An inexpensive item or service that requires little money.
- Refers to a low price or cost.
- Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
- Can imply poor quality depending on context.
Use with adverbs for emphasis
Add adverbs like 'とても' (very) or 'かなり' (quite) to emphasize the degree. For example, 'とても安い' means 'very cheap'.
Avoid using for people
Never use '安い' to describe a person's character or value. It sounds extremely rude and dehumanizing.
Value for money in Japan
Japanese consumers highly value 'cost-performance' (コスパ). '安い' is often used to praise high-quality items that are sold at a low price.
Examples
4 of 4このバッグはとても安いです。
This bag is very cheap.
低価格で高品質な製品を提供します。
We provide low-priced, high-quality products.
もっと安いのがいいな。
I want something cheaper.
安価な材料で製造されている。
It is manufactured with inexpensive materials.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More general words
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
ごろ
A2About, approximately (time).
うえ
A2At a higher position than.
絶対
B1Absolutely; definitely; never.
絶対に
B1Absolutely; definitely.
