Meaning
The kanji 価 (か, あたい) primarily expresses the idea of "value," "price," or "cost." It represents the worth something holds, whether monetary or intangible. While its main use focuses on economic terms, it also extends to describing the inherent quality or significance of an object, service, or even an abstract idea. Understanding this kanji is crucial for discussing financial transactions, assessments, and the intrinsic merit of various things in Japanese.
The etymology of 価 offers clear insight into its meaning. It consists of two main components: the radical 人 (person radical) on the left, and 賈 on the right. The 人 (にんべん) radical often links the kanji's meaning to people or human actions. The right component, 賈, is an older character that itself means "to buy, to sell," or "merchant," thereby implicitly suggesting "price" or "value." While 賈 is not a commonly used standalone kanji in modern Japanese, its presence here is vital. This combination literally represents "person" with "buying/selling" or "merchant," signifying the price or value that people assign to goods or services in commerce. This visual structure effectively illustrates the idea of human interaction determining worth.
With a total of 8 strokes, 価 is moderately complex. It is classified at the JLPT N3 level, making it important for intermediate Japanese learners. It is not an officially assigned grade level kanji in elementary school (though it is sometimes referred to as a "secondary school" kanji for learners beyond elementary grades).
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading of 価 is カ (ka), derived from its Chinese pronunciation. This reading is very common in compound words, especially those related to economics, finance, and general concepts of worth. It is the dominant reading when 価 is part of a multi-kanji word, forming the core of many essential vocabulary terms.
カ (ka) — used in most compound words related to value, price, or worth, often referring to a specific monetary figure or an abstract concept of merit.
価値 (kachi) — value, worth, merit. This is one of the most fundamental uses, referring to the intrinsic or perceived worth of something, whether tangible or intangible. Example: 彼の意見には大きな価値がある。(Kare no iken ni wa ōkina kachi ga aru.) — His opinion has great value.
価格 (kakaku) — price, cost. This specifically refers to the monetary price of goods or services in a market. Example: 商品の価格を確認してください。(Shōhin no kakaku o kakunin shite kudasai.) — Please check the product's price.
評価 (hyōka) — evaluation, assessment, appraisal. Here, 価 implies the assessed value or judgment of worth, often in a professional or qualitative context. Example: 新しい製品の評価は高かった。(Atarashii seihin no hyōka wa takakatta.) — The new product's evaluation was high.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi reading for 価 is あたい (atai), a native Japanese word. While less common in everyday compounds than its On'yomi, あたい is significant as a standalone noun or when combined with other native Japanese elements. It conveys a sense of inherent worth, often a numerical value, or a deserving state.
あたい (atai) — value, price, cost; also meaning worth, merit, or even numerical value in mathematics or data. It emphasizes intrinsic value or a specific data point.
値 (atai) — This is the most direct way to write the kun'yomi, often using only 値 (which also means price) or 価. While 値 (with just 値) is frequently used for numerical values (e.g., 数値 - numerical value, xの値 - value of x), 価 emphasizes inherent worth or mathematical value more broadly. Example: その数式の価を求めてください。(Sono sūshiki no atai o motomete kudasai.) — Please find the value of that formula.
〜に価する (ni atai suru) — to be worth ~; to deserve ~. This idiomatic expression is often encountered when expressing that something is deserving or meritorious. Example: 彼の努力は賞賛に価する。(Kare no doryoku wa shōsan ni atai suru.) — His efforts are worthy of praise.
真価 (shinka) — true value, real worth. Though it uses the On'yomi 'shin', it often expresses the deep, inherent 'atai' (worth) of something, revealing its authentic merit. Example: 危機の時に彼の真価が問われた。(Kiki no toki ni kare no shinka ga towareta.) — His true worth was tested in times of crisis.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 価 is a core component of many terms related to economics, assessment, and the concept of worth. Understanding these compounds will significantly improve your ability to discuss financial matters, quality, and human judgment in Japanese. These words are widely used in business, media, and daily conversation.
Economic & Monetary Value:
価格 (kakaku) — price, cost. (The monetary sum asked or paid for something.)
定価 (teika) — fixed price, list price. (The standard price set for an item by the manufacturer or seller.)
売価 (baika) — selling price. (The price at which something is offered for sale to customers.)
時価 (jika) — current price, market price. (The price something currently fetches in the open market, which can fluctuate.)
物価 (bukka) — commodity prices, cost of living. (The general level of prices for goods and services in an economy.)
単価 (tanka) — unit price. (The price per unit of an item, like price per kilogram or per piece.)
Intrinsic & Perceived Worth:
価値 (kachi) — value, worth, merit. (The inherent or perceived importance, usefulness, or quality of something.)
高価 (kōka) — high price, expensive. (Describing something that costs a lot of money, often implying quality but not always.)
廉価 (renka) — low price, cheap. (Describing something that costs little, often in a positive sense of affordability or good value.)
等価 (tōka) — equivalence, equal value. (When two or more things are considered to have the same worth, amount, or significance.)
Assessment & Evaluation:
評価 (hyōka) — evaluation, assessment, appraisal. (The act of judging the quality, worth, importance, or effectiveness of something or someone.)
査定価額 (satei kagaku) — assessed value, appraised amount. (The value determined after a formal assessment, often for property or assets.)
Abstract & Personal Value:
真価 (shinka) — true value, real worth. (The genuine, often hidden, or ultimate value of something or someone, revealed over time.)
無価値 (mukachi) — worthless, valueless. (Describing something that has no value, merit, or importance whatsoever.)
Example Sentences
この本は私にとって大きな価値があります。
Kono hon wa watashi ni totte ōkina kachi ga arimasu.
This book has great value to me.
スーパーで卵の価格が上がっています。
Sūpā de tamago no kakaku ga agatte imasu.
The price of eggs is going up at the supermarket.
その絵の評価は専門家によって異なります。
Sono e no hyōka wa senmonka ni yotte kotonarimasu.
The evaluation of that painting differs among experts.
高品質なものは、しばしば高価です。
Kōhinshitsu na mono wa, shibashiba kōka desu.
High-quality items are often expensive.
この時計は古いですが、まだ動くので価値があります。
Kono tokei wa furui desu ga, mada ugoku node kachi ga arimasu.
This watch is old, but it still works, so it has value.
商品の定価はパッケージに記載されています。
Shōhin no teika wa pakkeeji ni kisai sarete imasu.
The fixed price of the product is written on the package.
環境問題への取り組みは、将来の社会にとって計り知れない価値を持つでしょう。
Kankyō mondai e no torikumi wa, shōrai no shakai ni totte hakari shire nai kachi o motsu deshō.
Efforts toward environmental issues will likely hold immeasurable value for future society.
投資家たちは株式の時価を注意深く監視しています。
Tōshika-tachi wa kabushiki no jika o chūibukaku kanshi shite imasu.
Investors are carefully monitoring the current price of stocks.
この美術館には歴史的な価値のある芸術作品が多く展示されています。
Kono bijutsukan ni wa rekishiteki na kachi no aru geijutsusakuhin ga ooku tenji sarete imasu.
Many works of art with historical value are exhibited in this museum.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 価, think about its components: the "person" radical (人) on the left and the right part, which looks like a "house" or "roof" (宀) over "money" or "shell" (貝). Although the right part originally came from 賈 (merchant), you can simplify it for a memory aid. Imagine a person (人) trying to determine the value/price of something under a roof (宀), perhaps a shop, using their money/shells (貝). So, a person in a house with money is concerned with its value or price. This story connects people to the act of valuing goods, helping you recall "value" or "price" for 価.