高 価(こうか)

こうか

noun, na-adjective

high price, expensive

descriptive

See also: 硬貨(こうか) (coin), 効果(こうか) (effect)

1. high price, expensive, costly

Something that costs a lot of money.

高価(こうか)な品物(しなもの)

An expensive item.

この時計(とけい)は高価(こうか)だ。

This watch is expensive.

高価(こうか)な買(か)い物(もの)をする。

To make an expensive purchase.

彼女(かのじょ)は高価(こうか)な宝石(ほうせき)には興味(きょうみ)がなく、手作(てづく)りのアクセサリーを好(この)む。

She has no interest in expensive jewelry and prefers handmade accessories.

高価(こうか) is a na-adjective meaning expensive or costly. It carries a more formal, written tone than 高(たか)い and is often used when describing the objective monetary value of goods.

Common patterns

高価(こうか)な品物(しなもの): expensive goods
高価(こうか)な買(か)い物(もの): an expensive purchase
高価(こうか)な贈(おく)り物(もの): an expensive gift

Similar words

高(たか)い: expensive (everyday, conversational)
高価(こうか): expensive (formal, written, objective)
高額(こうがく): large amount of money (focuses on the sum rather than the item)
安価(あんか): inexpensive, cheap (also formal register)

Register

More common in written language, news, and formal descriptions. In everyday conversation, 高(たか)い is preferred.

Related Words

Antonym: 安価(あんか) (inexpensive)

Synonym: 高(たか)い (expensive (everyday))

Related: 高額(こうがく) (large amount of money)

general

Added 2026.1.11 17:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 11:55

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