Translation and Meaning of: 値 - atai

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese express the concept of value, whether in monetary or symbolic terms, the word 値 (あたい) is one of the keys to understanding this. In this article, we will explore its etymology, everyday use, and even interesting facts about its pictogram. Additionally, you will learn how to memorize it effectively and discover why it appears so often in contexts ranging from mathematics to personal evaluations. And if you use Anki to study, get ready for some practical phrases that will boost your vocabulary.

The kanji 値 carries a wealth of meanings that goes beyond the simple "price." It is present in everyday expressions, in negotiations, and even in philosophical discussions about merit. But what makes this word so versatile? And why is it so sought after by Japanese language students? Let's unravel all of this, including tips to avoid confusing its use with other similar terms.

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 値

The kanji 値 is composed of two radicals: 亻 (the left side, which indicates "person") and 直 (the right side, which carries the meaning of "correct" or "directly"). Together, they suggest the idea of "someone who assesses" or "that which is placed at its rightful value." This combination is not by chance—in ancient China, where the character originated, it was already used to represent notions of equivalence and measurement.

Interestingly, the reading あたい emerged in Japan as an adaptation of the Chinese term, but it gained its own nuances. While in Chinese the character is more associated with "fixed price," in Japanese it also embraces abstract concepts, such as a person's value to society. This duality between the tangible and the intangible makes it one of the most interesting kanji to study.

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

In the supermarket, you can hear 値段 (ねだん, "price") being used to ask how much a product costs, but あたい appears in more specific contexts. For example, in programming, 変数の値 (へんすうのあたい) means "value of a variable"—something that every beginner in IT in Japan needs to master. And it doesn't stop there: in school mathematics, it is common to see exercises asking to calculate Xの値 (Xのあたい), that is, "the value of X".

But the word also has a poetic side. Phrases like 君の値は計り知れない (きみのあたいははかりしれない, "your value is incalculable") show how it transcends the material. A teacher of mine in Osaka used to joke that あたい is like a diamond— it can be measured in carats, but its true brilliance lies in what it represents to the one who receives it.

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

To not forget that 値 is read as あたい, an infallible technique is to associate it with the sound of the English word "I." Think: "I have value"—and there you go, the pronunciation sticks in your mind. Another trick is to remember that the radical 直 also appears in 直す (なおす, "to fix"), as if we are "getting the value right" of something.

A common trick is to confuse 値 with 価 (あたい, also "value"), but there is a subtle difference: while 価 is more often used in compounds like 価値 (かち, "merit value"), 値 frequently appears alone. And here's a geeky curiosity: in the 90s, RPG games like "Final Fantasy" popularized the term 経験値 (けいけんち, "experience points"), showing how pop culture helped spread this kanji.

If you want to practice, try creating sentences like この古いコインの値は？ ("What is the value of this ancient coin?") or 彼の意見には値する ("His opinion is worth considering"). These are real examples that will help you become familiar with the multiple uses of this essential word.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 価値 (Kachi) - Value, importance, or usefulness of something.
• 数値 (Sūchi) - Numerical value, especially in a quantitative context.
• 金額 (Kingaku) - Monetary value, amount of money.
• 評価 (Hyōka) - Evaluation or judgment of quality.
• 代償 (Daishō) - Compensation or retribution, often for something lost.
• 価格 (Kakaku) - Price, the cost or value of a product or service.
• 額 (Gaku) - Quantity or value in a formal context, such as spending limits.
• 費用 (Hiyō) - Cost or expense, especially related to services and resources.
• 量 (Ryō) - Quantity, measure, or volume of something.
• 価値観 (Kachikan) - Value perspective or set of personal values.

値

Romaji: atai
Kana: あたい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: value; price; cost; value; merit

Meaning in English: value;price;cost;worth;merit

Definition: the normal price or quantity of something.

Example Sentences - (値) atai

See below some example sentences:

根底にある価値観は大切です。

Konteki ni aru kachikan wa taisetsu desu

Underlying values are important.

• 根底 - means "base" or "foundation".
• にある - is a particle that indicates the location of something, in this case, "is located at the base".
• 価値観 - means "values" or "principles".
• は - is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the values/principles".
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - is a polite way of ending a sentence in Japanese, equivalent to "é" in Portuguese.

民主主義は大切な価値観です。

Minshu shugi wa taisetsu na kachikan desu

Democracy is an important value.

Democracy is an important value.

• 民主主義 - democracy
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• な - adjective particle
• 価値観 - values
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この商品の値段は高すぎる。

Kono shouhin no nedan wa takasugiru

The price of this product is too high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 商品 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 値段 - noun meaning "price" or "value"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 高すぎる - adjective meaning "very expensive" or "very high"

この商品の値段は500円以内です。

Kono shouhin no nedan wa gohyaku en inai desu

The price of this product is up to 500 yen.

The price of this product is within 500 yen.

• この商品の値段は - indicates the subject of the sentence, which is the price of the product in question
• 500円 - the value of the product price
• 以内 - means "within" or "up to", indicating that the price does not exceed 500円
• です - is a sentence-ending particle, indicating that the information is a statement

その商品は値打ちがある。

sono shouhin wa nedachi ga aru

This product has a significant value.

The product is worth it.

• その商品 - this merchandise
• は - Topic particle
• 値打ち - value, merit
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist, have

マイナスの数値は減少しています。

Mainasu no suuchi wa genshō shiteimasu

Negative numbers are decreasing.

• マイナス - Japanese word meaning "negative"
• の - particle in Japanese that indicates possession or relationship
• 数値 - Japanese word meaning "numerical value"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 減少 - Japanese word meaning "decrease"
• しています - Japanese verb that indicates an action in progress in the present tense

値段が高いです。

nedan ga takai desu

The price is high.

• 値段 - price
• が - subject particle
• 高い - expensive
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

危険を冒してまでやる価値はない。

Kiken wo okashite made yaru kachi wa nai

It is not worth doing this until the danger.

• 危険 (ki ken) - danger
• を (wo) - object particle
• 冒して (okashite) - risk, challenge
• まで (made) - up until
• やる (yaru) - make
• 価値 (kachi) - value
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• ない (nai) - negation

軒並み値上げされた。

Kubanami neage sareta

The price has been increased on all houses.

The price has been raised all over the place.

• 軒並み - means "in general" or "in every house"
• 値上げ - means "price increase"
• された - is the passive form of the verb "to do" or "to be done"

The full sentence means "Prices have risen in general".