(こうか)

こうか
noun / na-adjective
high price, expensive
1. high price, expensive, costly
Something that costs a lot of money.
高価(こうか)品物(しなもの)
An expensive item.
この時計(とけい)高価(こうか)だ。
This watch is expensive.
高価(こうか)()(もの)をする。
To make an expensive purchase.
彼女(かのじょ)高価(こうか)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(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 (たか)い and is often used when describing the objective monetary value of goods.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 高価(こうか)品物(しなもの): expensive goods
  • 高価(こうか)()(もの): an expensive purchase
  • 高価(こうか)(おく)(もの): an expensive gift

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • (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)

ANTONYM:

  • 安価(あんか): inexpensive, cheap (also formal register)

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