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ぼったくり
bottakuri
overcharging
このレストラン、ぼったくりだよ！1万円も取られた。
This restaurant is overcharging! They took 10,000 yen.
slang
Act of charging an exorbitant or unfairly high price for something, often exploiting the customer's lack of knowledge or urgency.
タクシーでぼったくられた。
I got overcharged by the taxi.
この店、ぼったくりじゃない？
Isn't this shop overcharging?
Commonly used in consumer contexts, especially for services like taxis, restaurants, or street vendors. Implies intentional deception.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
How to avoid being overcharged
In tourist areas, always ask for prices upfront or check menus with prices displayed. For taxis, insist on using the meter or confirm the fare before getting in.
Gold Rule
When to use ぼったくり
Use this word when you suspect intentional deception in pricing, not for high prices in general. For example, a 'high price' might be 相場 (market price), but ぼったくり implies fraud.
Word Origin
Derived from the verb ぼったくる (bottakuru), which originally meant 'to snatch' or 'to grab forcefully' (from the sound 'botta' + kuru). The slang meaning of 'overcharging' emerged in the late 20th century, likely from the metaphor of 'grabbing' excessive money from customers.
Usage Notes
Most common in informal speech. The verb form ぼったくる (to overcharge) is also widely used. Often used with accusatory tone toward the seller/service provider.
Word Breakdown
ぼった
onomatopoeic sound implying 'grabbing' or 'snatching'
rootくり
suffix forming a verb (from kuru, 'to come')
suffix和英辞典