Translation and Meaning of: 物価 - buka

The word 「物価」 (bukka) is composed of two kanji: 「物」 (butsu) which means "thing" or "product" and 「価」 (ka), which denotes "value" or "price". Thus, the combination of these characters forms the term that literally refers to the "value of things", or simply "prices". The etymology reflects the function of the word in everyday life, especially in the economic context, where it refers to the cost or value of consumer goods in an economy.

"「物価」 is a term widely used in discussions about economics and finance to describe the level of prices in the market. It is essential for understanding inflation, which is the continuous and widespread increase in the prices of goods and services in an economy. When someone mentions that the 「物価」 is rising, they are generally referring to the increase in the cost of living. This directly impacts the purchasing power of consumers, requiring greater expenditure to acquire the same items."

The origin of the expression dates back to periods of economic growth and transformation in Japan, such as during the post-war era and the so-called "Economic Miracles." It was during times like these that monitoring the 「物価」 became crucial for the management of public policies, influencing decisions on monetary and fiscal policy. In modern times, the term remains a vital indicator for economists and policymakers, reflecting changes in supply and demand dynamics in the market.

To better understand the impact of changes in the 「物価」, it is important to know that factors such as monetary policy, exchange rates, and even geopolitical events can influence its fluctuation. In global contexts, the variation of the 「物価」 can even reflect general trends such as global inflation, natural disasters affecting production, and economic crises. Therefore, monitoring the 「物価」 proves essential for both financial analysts and the average citizen interested in the economy.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 価格 (kakaku) - Price in general; value of a product.
• 価値 (kachi) - Value or worth, referring to the intrinsic value or importance of something.
• 値段 (nedan) - Price or cost, usually related to how much one pays for a specific item.
• 値段設定 (nedan settei) - Definition of price; the process of determining the price of products or services.
• 価格設定 (kakaku settei) - Definition of price; similar to "値段設定," but may include a broader approach related to business strategies.
• 価格水準 (kakaku suijun) - Price level; it refers to the average or standard of prices in an economy or market.
• 価格レベル (kakaku reberu) - Price level; similar to "価格水準", but it can refer to a specific scope or context.
• 物価水準 (bukka suijun) - Price level of goods and services in the economy; a measure of inflation or deflation.
• 物価レベル (bukka reberu) - Price level of goods and services; similar to "物価水準", but applied in a specific context, often in economic analyses.

物価

Romaji: buka
Kana: ぶっか
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Commodities prices; Prices (in general)

Meaning in English: prices of commodities;prices (in general)

Definition: An index showing for how much various products and services are sold in a certain region of Japan.

Example Sentences - (物価) buka

See below some example sentences:

物価を引き下げる必要がある。

Bukka wo hikisageru hitsuyou ga aru

It is necessary to reduce prices.

• 物価 - prices of goods and services
• を - object particle
• 引き下げる - reduce, lower
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist, have

物価が高いです。

Bukka ga takai desu

Prices are high.

Prices are high.

• 物価 - Price of goods and services in an economy.
• が - Subject particle.
• 高い - Adjective that means "expensive" or "high".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.