ぼったくり

ぼったくり
noun
rip-off, overcharging, price gouging
1. rip-off, overcharging, price gouging
The practice of charging excessively high prices, or a business that engages in such practices.
この(みせ)はぼったくりだ。
This shop is a rip-off.
ぼったくりバーに()をつけて。
Be careful of rip-off bars.
観光地(かんこうち)でぼったくりに()った。
I got ripped off at a tourist spot.
3000(えん)のドリンクはぼったくりだと(おも)う。
I think a 3000 yen drink is a rip-off.

ぼったくり comes from the verb ぼったくる (to overcharge, rip off), which is related to ()(たた)く (to strike, hit)—metaphorically "hitting" customers with high prices.

Common collocations:

  • ぼったくりバー: rip-off bar (typically in entertainment districts)
  • ぼったくり価格(かかく): rip-off prices
  • ぼったくりに()う: to get ripped off

This is informal vocabulary used to criticize unfair pricing practices.