ボッタクリ

• Reading: ボッタクリ
• Romaji: bottakuri
• Pronunciation: /bot.ta.kɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

A rip-off; being grossly overcharged for something that is not worth the price.

ボッタクリ refers to being charged an outrageously inflated price, whether at a shady bar, a tourist trap restaurant, or by a dishonest service provider. It comes from the verb ぼったくる (to rip off). The word carries strong negative emotion — a mix of anger, disbelief, and feeling cheated. It is used both as a noun (that place is a ボッタクリ) and adjectivally (ボッタクリ価格, rip-off pricing).

Examples

1. あの店ボッタクリだよ、ビール一杯2000円だって。 That place is a total rip-off — they charge 2,000 yen for a single beer.
2. 観光地はボッタクリが多いから気をつけて。 Tourist spots are full of scams so watch out.
3. この修理代ボッタクリじゃない？他の店の倍だよ。 Isn't this repair bill a rip-off? It's double what other places charge.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, travel, complaints, restaurants

Tone: angry, indignant, warning

Do Say

• あの居酒屋ボッタクリで有名だから行かないほうがいいよ。 (That izakaya is famous for ripping people off — better not to go.)
• 旅行先でボッタクリに遭わないようにレビュー確認しとこう。 (Let's check reviews so we don't get ripped off at our travel destination.)

Don't Say

• 店員に直接「ボッタクリだ」と言うとトラブルになる (Saying 'this is a rip-off' directly to staff can cause a confrontation — complain to friends or leave reviews instead)

Common Mistakes

• Using ボッタクリ for things that are simply expensive — it specifically implies dishonest or unfair pricing, not just high-end goods

Origin & History

From the verb ぼったくる, which means to rip off or overcharge. The nominalized form ボッタクリ became a widely used standalone term. The word has been in circulation since at least the 1980s, originally associated with shady nightlife establishments.

Cultural Context

Era: 1980s onward, associated with nightlife and tourist areas

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Especially relevant in entertainment districts like Kabukichō (Tokyo) and Dōtonbori (Osaka) where tourist-targeted overcharging has been a long-standing issue.