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A1 noun #2,902 most common 10 min read

時価

jika Top 2,902

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 時価 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 時価 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 時価 (jika) as a special word for 'price' that you see in restaurants. Most words for price like 'nedan' are for things that stay the same price, like a burger or a soda. But some things, like fresh fish or expensive crabs, change price every day because the fishermen catch different amounts. When you see 時価 on a menu, it means 'the price for today.' It is a combination of two simple kanji: 時 (time) and 価 (price). So, it's the 'price at this time.' If you see this word, you can ask the waiter 'Ikura desu ka?' (How much is it?) to find out the price for that day. It is a very useful word for travelers who want to try the best seafood in Japan.

At the A2 level, you can start using 時価 (jika) to describe why prices change. You might notice that at the supermarket, the price of vegetables changes every week. While we usually just say 'nedan' (price), in more formal writing or on signs, you will see 時価. This level also introduces the idea that 時価 is used for things other than food, like gold or old coins. You can use the sentence pattern '[Thing] wa jika desu' to say that something follows the market price. It's important to distinguish this from 'teika' (fixed price) which you see on books or snacks. Understanding 時価 helps you understand that in Japan, some prices are not fixed and depend on how many people want to buy the item.

For B1 learners, 時価 (jika) becomes a key term for discussing the economy and personal finance. You will hear it in news reports about the 'jika' of oil or the 'jika' of the yen compared to the dollar. It is often used in the context of 'fluctuation' (変動 - hendou). You should be able to understand phrases like 'jika de hyouka suru' (to evaluate at market price). This is common when talking about used cars or second-hand goods. At this level, you should also be aware of the social nuance: '時価' on a menu suggests a level of luxury and quality. It implies that the restaurant is using the freshest possible ingredients from the market that morning, making it a word associated with high-quality 'shun' (seasonal) food.

At the B2 level, 時価 (jika) is an essential vocabulary item for business and professional contexts. You will encounter compound words like 時価総額 (jika sougaku), which means market capitalization—a vital metric for evaluating companies. You will also see it in legal documents or insurance policies. For example, if a car is damaged, the insurance company pays based on the 'jika' (current market value), not the original purchase price. You should be comfortable using 時価 to discuss asset management, real estate trends, and corporate accounting (mark-to-market). The distinction between 'jika' (current price) and 'souba' (market trend) becomes more important here for precise communication.

C1 learners must master the technical and legal nuances of 時価 (jika). In the Japanese tax code and accounting standards, 時価 is defined as the 'fair value' (公正な評価額) at which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length transaction. You will encounter discussions about how to determine 時価 for unlisted stocks or unique real estate properties where there is no active market. You should be able to debate the merits of 'jika-shugi' (market-value principle) versus 'genka-shugi' (historical cost principle) in accounting. At this level, 時価 is not just a word for a price tag; it is a complex economic concept involving appraisal methodologies and market efficiency.

At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of 時価 (jika) across all domains, including its philosophical implications in economics. You might analyze how 時価 reflects collective human psychology and information asymmetry. You can interpret high-level financial literature that discusses the 'jika' of derivatives or complex financial instruments. Furthermore, you can appreciate the word's use in literature or high-level journalism to describe the 'current value' of intangible things, like a politician's reputation or a cultural movement's influence. Your usage should be flawless, whether you are negotiating a multi-billion yen merger involving 'jika sougaku' or discussing the historical volatility of 'jika' in the Edo-period rice markets.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

時価 in 30 Seconds

時価 (Jika) means 'market price' or 'current value.'
Commonly used in high-end restaurants for seasonal seafood.
Vital in finance for stock market caps and asset valuation.
Implies the price fluctuates based on supply and demand.

The Japanese term 時価 (じか - jika) is a compound noun that translates literally to 'time-price.' In practical use, it refers to the market price or the current value of an item at a specific moment in time. Unlike a fixed price (定価 - teika), which remains constant regardless of external factors, 時価 is fluid and sensitive to the laws of supply and demand. You will encounter this word most frequently in two distinct worlds: the high-end culinary scene and the complex world of finance and real estate.

Culinary Context: In luxury sushi restaurants or seafood specialists, seasonal delicacies like bluefin tuna (otoro), sea urchin (uni), or abalone (awabi) are often listed as 時価 on the menu. This indicates that the price depends on the auction results at markets like Toyosu that morning.

高級な寿司屋では、ウニの値段が時価になっていることが多いです。(In high-end sushi restaurants, the price of sea urchin is often listed as market price.)

Beyond the dinner table, 時価 plays a crucial role in economics. It is used to describe the current trading price of stocks, the fluctuating value of gold, or the appraisal value of land. When a company calculates its total worth on the stock market, they use the term 時価総額 (jika sougaku), which means 'market capitalization.' This versatility makes the word essential for anyone moving beyond basic Japanese into professional or social settings where value is discussed.

Financial Context: In accounting, 時価評価 (jika hyouka) refers to 'mark-to-market' accounting, where assets are valued based on their current market price rather than their historical purchase cost.

株の時価が急落しました。(The market price of the stocks plummeted.)

The cultural nuance of 時価 also touches upon the Japanese appreciation for 'shun' (旬) or seasonality. Because the best ingredients are only available for a short window, their rarity dictates their price. Thus, 時価 is not just a financial term; it is a reflection of the ephemeral nature of quality in Japanese culture. Whether you are an investor watching the Nikkei 225 or a foodie looking for the best sashimi, understanding this word helps you navigate the true cost of things in Japan.

土地の時価を調べる。(Check the current market value of the land.)

Etymological Breakdown: 時 (Ji) means 'time' or 'hour,' and 価 (Ka) means 'value' or 'price.' Together, they signify that price is a function of time.

このアンティーク時計の時価は一億円を超えます。(The current market value of this antique watch exceeds 100 million yen.)

Using 時価 correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement as a noun. It often acts as the subject of a sentence or modifies other nouns to create compound terms. Because it deals with prices, it is frequently paired with verbs like 変動する (hendou suru - to fluctuate), 決まる (kimaru - to be decided), or 評価する (hyouka suru - to evaluate). In a restaurant, it is often used simply as a predicate: '商品は時価です' (The product is market price).

Pattern: [Subject] は時価です: This is the most common way to see it on a menu. It tells the customer that the price isn't fixed.

「今日のカニはいくらですか？」「時価ですので、本日は五千円になります。」("How much is today's crab?" "Since it is market price, today it will be 5,000 yen.")

In more formal or written Japanese, 時価 is often used with the particle で (de) to indicate the basis of a transaction. For example, '時価で売買する' (to buy and sell at market price). This is common in business contracts or news reports about commodities like oil or precious metals. It emphasizes that the transaction value is not arbitrary but tied to the broader market reality at that specific moment.

Pattern: 時価 + Noun: You can combine 時価 with other nouns to create specific economic terms like 時価総額 (Market cap) or 時価発行 (Issuance at market price).

その会社は時価総額で世界トップクラスです。(That company is world-class in terms of market capitalization.)

When discussing real estate, 時価 is often contrasted with 公示価格 (kouji kakaku - official announced land price). While the official price is set by the government, the 時価 is what people are actually paying on the street. This distinction is vital for anyone looking to rent or buy property in Japan. You might say, 'この辺りの土地の時価は上がっています' (The market value of land in this area is rising).

Common Verb Pairings: 時価を反映する (To reflect the market price), 時価で評価する (To value at market price), 時価が変動する (The market price fluctuates).

仮想通貨の時価は非常に不安定です。(The market price of cryptocurrency is extremely unstable.)

契約書には、資産を時価で換算すると記載されています。(The contract states that assets will be converted at market price.)

Hearing the word 時価 can evoke different feelings depending on where you are. In the bustling aisles of a fish market or a high-end restaurant, it represents the pinnacle of freshness. In the quiet offices of a brokerage or an accounting firm, it represents precision and the current state of the global economy. Understanding these environments will help you recognize the word in the wild.

1. High-End Restaurants (Sushi, Kaiseki, Teppanyaki): This is the most 'public' place to hear it. A waiter might explain that the 'Special Sashimi Platter' has no set price because the ingredients change daily. They will use 時価 to justify why the bill might be different from your last visit.

「こちらの大トロは本日、時価となっております。」("This fatty tuna is at market price today.")

The second major domain is the financial news. If you turn on NHK or read the Nikkei Shimbun, you will hear presenters talking about 'jika' in relation to oil prices, gold, and stock indices. When the market is volatile, the word is repeated constantly. It is also used when discussing 'Market Cap' (時価総額) rankings of global tech giants like Apple or Toyota. For a business professional in Japan, this word is as common as 'interest rate' or 'profit.'

2. Real Estate and Insurance: When insurance companies calculate a payout for a totaled car or a damaged house, they don't look at what you paid for it five years ago. They look at the 時価—the current value of the item in its current condition.

保険金は車の時価に基づいて支払われます。(The insurance payout will be paid based on the current market value of the car.)

Finally, you will hear it in legal and tax discussions. Inheriting property or gifts involves calculating taxes based on the 時価 of those assets at the time of transfer. Tax accountants spend a significant portion of their time arguing over what the 'true' 時価 actually is. In this sense, the word moves from the excitement of a fish auction to the dry, precise world of government regulations.

3. Collector Circles: Whether it's Pokémon cards, vintage watches, or rare sneakers, enthusiasts use 時価 to discuss the 'going rate' of an item that fluctuates based on internet trends.

このレアカードの時価は先月の二倍になりました。(The market price of this rare card has doubled since last month.)

金利の上昇により、債券の時価が下落した。(Due to the rise in interest rates, the market value of bonds fell.)

While 時価 is a straightforward concept, learners often trip up on its nuance compared to other 'price' related words. The most common error is using 時価 when you simply mean 'the price' (値段 - nedan) or 'the cost' (費用 - hiyou). Remember, 時価 specifically implies that the price is not fixed and is determined by an external market.

Mistake 1: Confusing 時価 with 定価 (Teika): If you go to a convenience store, the prices are 定価 (list price). Never use 時価 for standard retail goods like a bottle of water or a notebook, as these don't change based on daily market auctions.

❌ コンビニのパンは時価です。
✅ コンビニのパンは定価（または普通の値段）です。

Another mistake is confusing 時価 with 相場 (souba). While they are close, 相場 refers to the 'general market trend' or 'going rate,' whereas 時価 is the specific price at this exact second. If you want to say 'The average price for a used car like this is $5000,' you should use 相場. If you want to say 'The price of this specific car right now on the market is $5000,' you use 時価.

Mistake 2: Pronunciation and Kanji Errors: Sometimes learners confuse 時価 (jika) with 直 (jika) meaning 'directly.' While they sound the same, '直に' (jika ni) is an adverb. Make sure you use the kanji for 'price' (価) when writing about money.

❌ 彼は社長と時価に話した。(He spoke to the president at market price - Makes no sense!)
✅ 彼は社長と直に話した。(He spoke to the president directly.)

Lastly, don't use 時価 for services where the price is negotiated based on labor, like a freelance project. For that, use 見積もり (mitsumori - estimate). 時価 is almost always reserved for commodities (fish, gold, stocks, land) that have an objective market value outside of the individual seller's control.

Mistake 3: Overusing it in casual settings: Unless you are at a fancy seafood place or talking about investments, '時価' can sound overly technical. In most daily conversations about prices, '値段' (nedan) is much more natural.

❌ その靴の時価はいくらですか？
✅ その靴の値段はいくらですか？

仮想通貨を時価で日本円に換算する。(Convert cryptocurrency to Japanese Yen at the current market price.)

Japanese has a wealth of words to describe value and cost. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about a fixed price, a general trend, or a specific market value. Here is how 時価 compares to its closest relatives.

時価 (Jika) vs. 相場 (Souba): 時価 is the 'current price' (a specific point). 相場 is the 'market rate' or 'going price' (a general range). If you ask for the 時価 of gold, you want the exact dollar amount right now. If you ask for the 相場, you want to know if it's generally expensive these days.

時価 (Jika) vs. 定価 (Teika): These are opposites. 定価 is the price set by the manufacturer or seller that doesn't change. 時価 is the price set by the market that changes constantly.

本は定価で売られますが、中古本は時価（需要）によって値段が変わります。(Books are sold at a fixed price, but used books change price based on market price/demand.)

Another word to know is 価格 (kakaku). This is the most formal, general word for 'price.' It is often used in compound words like 市場価格 (shijou kakaku - market price). While 時価 and 市場価格 are often interchangeable, 時価 feels more immediate—like the price you would pay at this very hour.

時価 (Jika) vs. 評価額 (Hyoukagaku): 評価額 is the 'appraised value.' This is an estimate of what the 時価 would be if the item were sold. It's used for insurance, taxes, and real estate before an actual sale happens.

土地の時価と固定資産税の評価額は異なります。(The market price of land and the appraised value for property tax are different.)

For everyday objects, 値段 (nedan) is your best friend. It's the colloquial term for 'price.' If you're at a flea market, you're haggling over the 値段. If you're at a sushi bar looking at a chalkboard, you're looking for the 時価.

Summary Table: - 時価: Current market price (Fluctuates).
- 定価: Fixed list price (Static).
- 相場: General market rate (Trend).
- 価格: Formal word for price (General).
- 値段: Casual word for price (Daily use).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the Edo period, the 'jika' of rice was the most important economic indicator in Japan, as samurai were paid in rice, not coins.

Pronunciation Guide

UK dʒiː.kɑː

US dʒi.kɑ

Flat (Heiban) - The pitch stays relatively level throughout the word.

Rhymes With

Shika (Deer) Geka (Surgery) Kika (Vaporization) Rika (Science) Hika (Subcutaneous) Ikka (One family) Kokka (Nation) Hakka (Ignition)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Jika' with a long 'i' like 'Jee-kah' (English style).
Confusing it with 'Jikan' (Time).
Pronouncing 'ka' like 'cat'.
Over-stressing the first syllable.
Confusing with 'Chika' (Underground).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The Kanji are common, but the context can be technical.

Writing 3/5

The Kanji for 'Ka' (価) is often confused with other similar looking characters.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires confidence to ask '今日の時価は？'.

Listening 3/5

Must be distinguished from 'jikan' (time) or 'jika' (directly).

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

時 (Time) 値段 (Price) 魚 (Fish) 高い (Expensive) 変わる (To change)

Learn Next

相場 (Market rate) 定価 (Fixed price) 取引 (Transaction) 価値 (Value) 総額 (Total amount)

Advanced

減損処理 (Impairment loss) 評価損益 (Valuation gain/loss) 流動性 (Liquidity) 裁定取引 (Arbitrage) 均衡価格 (Equilibrium price)

Grammar to Know

Noun + による (Based on / Depending on)

値段は時価によります。

Noun + で (Indicating means or basis)

時価で計算します。

Noun + の + Noun (Possessive/Descriptive)

ウニの時価。

Noun + が + Verb (Subject marking)

時価が上がった。

Noun + と + 書いてある (It is written that...)

メニューに時価と書いてある。

Examples by Level

このお寿司は時価です。

This sushi is market price.

Noun + desu pattern.

今日の魚は時価ですか？

Is today's fish market price?

Asking a question with 'ka'.

時価は毎日変わります。

The market price changes every day.

Subject + wa + adverb + verb.

高いお酒は時価です。

Expensive sake is market price.

Adjective + noun description.

カニの時価を知りたいです。

I want to know the market price of the crab.

Using 'no' to connect nouns.

メニューに時価と書いてあります。

It says 'market price' on the menu.

Using 'to kaite arimasu' for 'it is written'.

時価なので、安くないです。

Because it's market price, it's not cheap.

Using 'node' for 'because'.

ウニは時価で売っています。

They are selling sea urchin at market price.

Using 'de' to indicate the basis/price.

旬の野菜は時価で取引されます。

Seasonal vegetables are traded at market prices.

Passive form 'torihiki saremasu'.

金の時価が上がっています。

The market price of gold is rising.

Present progressive 'agatte imasu'.

この店では、時価の料理が多いです。

In this shop, there are many market-price dishes.

Adjective use of 'no' between nouns.

時価を確認してから注文します。

I will check the market price before ordering.

Using 'te kara' for sequence of actions.

中古車の時価を調べました。

I looked up the market value of used cars.

Past tense 'shirabemashita'.

ダイヤモンドの時価は非常に高いです。

The market price of diamonds is very high.

Degree adverb 'hijou ni'.

時価によって、支払うお金が違います。

Depending on the market price, the money paid is different.

Using 'ni yotte' for 'depending on'.

ガソリンの時価は毎週変わります。

The market price of gasoline changes every week.

Frequency adverb 'maishuu'.

原油の時価変動が経済に影響を与えている。

Fluctuations in the market price of crude oil are affecting the economy.

Noun + noun compounding.

保険会社は、事故当時の時価で補償額を計算する。

Insurance companies calculate the compensation based on the market value at the time of the accident.

Using 'de' for basis of calculation.

この土地の時価は、過去五年で二倍になった。

The market value of this land has doubled in the past five years.

Using 'ni natta' for change in state.

時価総額が大きな企業に投資したい。

I want to invest in a company with a large market capitalization.

Relative clause 'jika sougaku ga ookina'.

ビットコインの時価は予測不可能です。

The market price of Bitcoin is unpredictable.

Compound word 'yosoku fukanou'.

美術品の時価を専門家に鑑定してもらう。

I will have an expert appraise the market value of the artwork.

Causative-benefactive 'shite morau'.

時価での評価は、会計上非常に重要だ。

Valuation at market price is extremely important in accounting.

Using 'jou' to mean 'from the standpoint of'.

株価は常に時価を反映しているわけではない。

Stock prices do not always reflect the current market value.

Partial negation 'wake dewa nai'.

有価証券の時価評価損益を計上する。

Record the valuation gains or losses of securities at market price.

Technical accounting terminology.

不動産の時価は周辺環境の変化に左右される。

The market value of real estate is influenced by changes in the surrounding environment.

Passive voice 'sayuu sareru'.

時価発行増資により、多額の資金を調達した。

Funds were raised through a capital increase via market price issuance.

Business compound 'jika hakkou zoushi'.

遺産相続では、財産を時価で換算する必要がある。

In inheritance, it is necessary to convert assets at their market value.

Using 'hitsuyou ga aru' for necessity.

市場の混乱により、適切な時価の算定が困難になった。

Due to market turmoil, calculating an appropriate market price became difficult.

Resultative 'ni natta'.

このアンティーク家具の時価は、オークションで決まる。

The market price of this antique furniture is determined at auction.

Passive voice 'kimaru'.

企業の真の価値は、時価総額だけで判断できない。

A company's true value cannot be judged by market capitalization alone.

Potential negation 'handan dekinai'.

為替レートの変動が、輸入商品の時価に直結する。

Fluctuations in exchange rates directly link to the market price of imported goods.

Verb 'chokketsu suru' (direct link).

金融商品の時価算定に関する会計基準が改定された。

The accounting standards regarding the market price calculation of financial instruments have been revised.

Formal passive 'kaitei sareta'.

非上場株式の時価を客観的に証明するのは難しい。

It is difficult to objectively prove the market value of unlisted stocks.

Nominalizer 'no wa'.

市場価格が存在しない場合、理論上の時価を算出する。

If a market price does not exist, a theoretical market value is calculated.

Conditional 'baai'.

資産の時価が簿価を大幅に下回ったため、減損処理を行った。

Since the market value of the assets fell significantly below the book value, an impairment loss was recognized.

Causal 'tame'.

公正な取引に基づく時価こそが、真の経済的価値である。

The market price based on fair trade is the true economic value.

Emphasis particle 'koso'.

情報の非対称性が、適正な時価の形成を妨げている。

Information asymmetry is hindering the formation of an appropriate market price.

Transitive verb 'samatageru'.

デリバティブ取引の時価評価は、高度な専門知識を要する。

Market valuation of derivative transactions requires high-level specialized knowledge.

Formal verb 'yousuru' (to require).

バブル崩壊後、不動産の時価は長期にわたって低迷した。

After the bubble burst, the market value of real estate stagnated for a long period.

Time expression 'ni watatte'.

時価主義会計の導入は、企業の透明性を高める一翼を担った。

The introduction of market-value accounting played a role in increasing corporate transparency.

Idiom 'ichiyoku wo nau'.

流動性の低い市場において、時価は極めて恣意的なものになり得る。

In markets with low liquidity, market prices can become extremely arbitrary.

Auxiliary 'uru' (can/possible).

効率的市場仮説によれば、全ての情報は即座に時価に織り込まれる。

According to the efficient market hypothesis, all information is immediately incorporated into the market price.

Compound verb 'orikomu'.

国家の威信という無形の資産に、時価をつけることは不可能だ。

It is impossible to put a market price on intangible assets such as national prestige.

Noun phrase 'mukei no shisan'.

投機的な動きが時価を実体経済から乖離させている。

Speculative movements are causing the market price to deviate from the real economy.

Causative 'kairi sasete iru'.

将来のキャッシュフローを現在価値に割り引くことで、時価を推定する。

Estimate the market value by discounting future cash flows to their present value.

Using 'koto de' for means/method.

価格の硬直性が、時価による需給調整を阻害している側面がある。

There is an aspect where price rigidity is hindering the adjustment of supply and demand through market prices.

Noun 'sokumen' (aspect/side).

古典派経済学において、時価は神の見えざる手によって導かれるとされる。

In classical economics, market prices are said to be guided by the 'invisible hand of God.'

Passive 'to sareru' (it is said/considered).

Synonyms

市場価格相場現在価格評価額現行価格

Antonyms

定価額面固定価格

Common Collocations

時価総額

時価で提供

時価評価

時価相当額

時価が変動する

時価発行

時価主義

時価を反映する

時価に近い

時価不明

Common Phrases

今日の時価

— Today's market price. Used to ask about the current cost of seasonal items.

今日の時価を教えてください。

時価による

— Depending on the market price. Indicates that the final cost is not yet determined.

料金は時価によります。

時価で換算

— Convert at market price. Often used when switching between currencies or assets.

外貨を時価で換算する。

時価を調べる

— To look up or research the current market value.

土地の時価を調べる。

時価がつく

— To be given a market value. Often used for items that finally get a price at auction.

名画に高い時価がついた。

時価で売る

— To sell something at the current market rate.

金を時価で売る。

時価を維持する

— To maintain a certain market price level.

ブランドの時価を維持する。

時価を上回る

— To exceed the market price.

時価を上回る提示額。

時価を下回る

— To fall below the market price.

時価を下回る安値。

時価の変動

— The fluctuation of market prices.

時価の変動に注意する。

Often Confused With

時価 vs 時間 (Jikan)

Sounds similar but means 'time' or 'duration'. 'Jika' is only about price.

時価 vs 直に (Jika ni)

Sounds identical but means 'directly' or 'personally'. Context usually clarifies the difference.

時価 vs 磁価 (Jika)

A very rare technical term for magnetic value. Almost never encountered in daily life.

Idioms & Expressions

"時価に任せる"

— To leave the price to the market's discretion. Implies not setting a fixed price.

売却価格は時価に任せることにした。

Neutral

"時価を問う"

— To test or ask for the market's valuation of something.

新作の時価を市場に問う。

Formal

"時価の波に乗る"

— To take advantage of market price fluctuations for profit.

時価の波に乗って利益を出す。

Informal

"時価で手を打つ"

— To settle a deal at the current market price.

現在の時価で手を打とう。

Neutral

"時価に泣く"

— To suffer a loss due to a drop in market prices.

暴落した時価に泣く投資家たち。

Journalistic

"時価に踊らされる"

— To be manipulated or overly excited by fluctuating market prices.

一時的な時価に踊らされてはいけない。

Critical

"時価を読み違える"

— To misread the market price or its future direction.

時価を読み違えて損をした。

Neutral

"時価を吊り上げる"

— To artificially inflate the market price.

買い占めで時価を吊り上げる。

Negative

"時価に裏打ちされた"

— Backed or supported by actual market value.

時価に裏打ちされた資産価値。

Formal

"時価が一人歩きする"

— When the market price takes on a life of its own, independent of actual value.

実体のない時価が一人歩きしている。

Descriptive

Easily Confused

時価 vs 相場 (Souba)

Both relate to market prices.

Jika is the specific price right now; Souba is the general average or trend of the market.

相場を知る (Know the going rate) vs 時価で払う (Pay the current price).

時価 vs 定価 (Teika)

Both are types of prices.

Teika is fixed and printed on the box; Jika changes every day.

定価の20%引き (20% off list price).

時価 vs 評価額 (Hyoukagaku)

Both represent value.

Hyoukagaku is an estimate or appraisal; Jika is the actual price in a real market.

評価額が1億円の土地 (Land appraised at 100M yen).

時価 vs 市場価格 (Shijou Kakaku)

They mean the same thing.

Shijou Kakaku is more formal and academic; Jika is more common on menus and in quick conversation.

市場価格の変動 (Fluctuation of market prices).

時価 vs 売値 (Urine)

Both are prices.

Urine is simply the 'selling price' set by a shop, which might be fixed or jika.

売値を決める (Decide the selling price).

Sentence Patterns

[Item] は時価です。

このサケは時価です。

時価が [Verb]。

時価が下がりました。

時価で [Verb]。

時価で買います。

時価を [Verb]。

時価を反映する。

[Noun] の時価は [Condition]。

土地の時価は不安定だ。

時価に [Verb]。

時価に織り込まれる。

Business

時価総額が [Amount]。

時価総額が三兆円に達した。

Dining

本日は時価となっております。

Word Family

Nouns

時価総額 (Market Cap)

時価評価 (Market Valuation)

時価主義 (Market Value Principle)

時価発行 (Market Price Issuance)

Verbs

時価評価する (To value at market price)

時価で換算する (To convert at market price)

Adjectives

時価の (Of market price)

時価相当の (Equivalent to market price)

価格 (Price)

価値 (Value)

相場 (Market rate)

定価 (Fixed price)

市場 (Market)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in specialized fields (finance, dining, real estate), rare in general daily chores.

Common Mistakes

Using 時価 for a regular store item. → 値段 (Nedan) or 価格 (Kakaku).
Standard goods have fixed prices. 'Jika' is only for things that change with the market.
Confusing 時価 (Jika) with 直に (Jika ni). → Check the Kanji.
They sound the same, but 'directly' uses a different Kanji (直).
Saying 'Jikan' instead of 'Jika'. → 時価 (Jika).
'Jikan' means time (duration). Adding the 'n' completely changes the meaning.
Using 時価 for a service fee. → 見積もり (Mitsumori).
Service fees are estimated based on work, not a global market auction.
Thinking 時価 means 'cheap'. → It just means 'market price'.
While it can be low, 'jika' in a restaurant usually implies a premium price for high quality.

Tips

Dining Tip

If you are on a budget, avoid items marked '時価' unless you ask the price first. They can be surprisingly expensive.

Compound Words

Learn '時価総額' (Market Cap) as a single block. It is one of the most common business terms in Japan.

Seasonality

Remember that 'jika' is tied to 'shun' (seasonality). It's a sign that you are eating something at its absolute peak.

Investment

When looking at Japanese stocks, 'jika' is the price you see on the ticker. Use it to calculate your gains.

Pitch Accent

Keep your voice steady. Don't stress either syllable too hard. It's a flat word.

Kanji Radical

The 'Ka' (価) in 'jika' has a person radical. Think of it as 'the value people give to something'.

Politeness

Asking for the 'jika' is not rude. In fact, it shows you are paying attention to the menu.

News Reports

When you hear 'jika' on the news, look for graphs. It's almost always accompanied by a line chart.

Time Connection

Always link the word to 'time'. If the time changes, the price changes. That's 'jika'.

Jika vs Teika

Think of 'Teika' as a price tag on a shirt and 'Jika' as a price tag on a stock. One is fixed, one moves.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'JI' as 'Just In' and 'KA' as 'KA-ching' (the sound of a cash register). JIKA is the 'Just In' price—the price right now!

Visual Association

Imagine a sushi chef holding a stopwatch in one hand and a price tag in the other. The price changes every time the watch ticks.

Word Web

Fish Market Stock Exchange Gold Bars Sushi Menu Real Estate Fluctuation Supply Demand

Challenge

Go to a Japanese online fish market or a stock site and find three items listed with '時価' or '時価総額'. Write down their current values.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two Kanji characters: 時 (Time) and 価 (Value/Price). It originated from classical Chinese characters used to describe the value of goods as they changed over seasons or specific times.

Original meaning: The price corresponding to the time.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'jika' when talking about people's worth; it's strictly for commodities and assets.

Similar to 'Market Price' or 'MP' on Western menus, but used more broadly in finance (Market Cap).

Tsukiji/Toyosu Fish Market auctions The movie 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' (where prices are often jika) Nikkei 225 stock reports

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Sushi Restaurant

今日の時価はいくらですか？
時価のネタを教えてください。
これは時価ですか？
時価なので予算を確認します。

Stock Market Trading

時価総額ランキングを見る。
時価が暴落している。
時価で注文を出す。
時価評価を確認する。

Real Estate / Land

土地の時価が上昇した。
時価に近い価格で売却する。
時価を査定してもらう。
近隣の時価を調べる。

Insurance Claims

車の時価額を算出する。
時価での補償を求める。
減価償却と時価の関係。
事故時の時価を確認する。

Antique / Collectibles

この時計の時価はいくら？
時価が跳ね上がった。
オークションの時価。
時価がつかない珍品。

Conversation Starters

"「このメニューにある『時価』って、大体いくらぐらいなんですか？」(How much is the 'market price' on this menu, roughly?)"

"「最近、金の時価がすごく上がっていますね。」(The market price of gold has been going up a lot lately, hasn't it?)"

"「時価総額で会社を選ぶなら、どこがおすすめですか？」(If you were choosing a company by market cap, which would you recommend?)"

"「お寿司屋さんで時価のものを頼むのって、勇気がいりませんか？」(Doesn't it take courage to order 'market price' items at a sushi shop?)"

"「中古マンションの時価を調べる方法を知っていますか？」(Do you know how to look up the current market value of used apartments?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、市場やお店で見た『時価』のものについて書いてみましょう。いくらでしたか？ (Write about something you saw today that was 'market price.' How much was it?)

もし自分が時価でしか買えない特別なものを作るとしたら、何を作りますか？ (If you were to make something special that could only be bought at market price, what would it be?)

『時価』という言葉から、日本の食文化についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japanese food culture based on the word 'jika'?)

自分にとって、お金で測れない『時価』以上の価値があるものは何ですか？ (What is something that has more value than any market price to you?)

最近のニュースで聞いた『時価』に関連するトピックについて感想を書きましょう。 (Write your thoughts on a recent news topic related to market prices.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily, but it usually refers to high-quality items where the price is high enough to fluctuate significantly. You won't see 'jika' for cheap items like carrots.

In a restaurant, no. The 'jika' is what the chef decided based on the morning's auction. In a market, you might be able to haggle slightly, but 'jika' usually implies a fair market rate.

You can say: 'すみません、今日の（アイテム）の時価はいくらですか？' (Excuse me, what is today's market price for the [item]?).

Because the government's official price (kouji kakaku) often lags behind the real-world demand in the city. 'Jika' represents what people are actually paying.

Yes, 'jika' is the standard term for the current trading price of a stock on the exchange.

It is 'Market Capitalization' (Current Stock Price x Number of Shares). It shows the total market value of a company.

Yes, especially for items with volatile resale markets like vintage watches or rare trading cards.

Rarely. Services usually use 'mitsumori' (estimate). 'Jika' is for tangible things or financial assets.

Yes, it is the Kanji for 'time' (時). It emphasizes that the price is specific to that time.

It is very common in specific contexts like dining out, watching the news, or doing business, but you won't use it every day at the supermarket.