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How to Say ‘That's a little expensive.’ in Japanese

ちょっと高いですね。

chotto takai desu ne

[chotto tah-KAH-ee dess neh]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a soft way to question a price without accusing anyone. ちょっと "a little" plus ね invites the driver to look again, which keeps a dispute polite.

Phrase Breakdown

ちょっと

chotto

[chotto]

a little

Indicating a small quantity or amount.

Example

ちょっと待って。

Wait a little.

高いですね。

takai desu ne

is expensive, isn't it.

高い means expensive (or tall). ですね adds polite 'isn't it' and seeks agreement. 'Desu' sounds like 'des'.

Example

このカメラは高いですね。

This camera is expensive, isn't it.

Words in this phrase

高い

takai

[tah-KAH-ee]

expensive

Adjective meaning costly; also means high or tall in other contexts.

Example

このタクシーは高いです。

This taxi is expensive.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

ね

[neh]

isn't it?; right?

A sentence-ending particle used to seek agreement or add warmth.

Example

すばらしい経験ですね。

That's wonderful experience, isn't it?

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