物価

• Reading: ぶっか
• Romaji: bukka
• Kanji breakdown: 物 (butsu/mono) — thing, goods; 価 (ka/atai) — price, value
• Pronunciation: /bɯk.ka/

Meaning

Prices of goods; cost of living. The general price level of commodities.

A noun referring to the general level of commodity and consumer prices, not the price of a single item. Key expressions: 物価が上がる (bukka ga agaru, prices rise), 物価が下がる (bukka ga sagaru, prices fall), 消費者物価指数 (shouhisha bukka shisuu, consumer price index). An important concept in economics and daily conversation about the cost of living.

Examples

1. 最近、物価が上がって生活が大変になった。 Prices have gone up recently, making life difficult.
2. 東京は他の都市に比べて物価が高い。 Tokyo has a higher cost of living compared to other cities.
3. 物価の安い国に旅行するのが好きだ。 I like traveling to countries where the cost of living is low.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, daily life, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 物 (butsu/mono, thing/goods) and 価 (ka, price/value). Together: the price of things — the general price level.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal