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代价 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
代价
dàijià
price
HSK 6, n, 11 strokes, rank #1752, Hard
代价
dàijià
cost
HSK 6, n, 11 strokes, rank #1752, Hard
代价
dàijià
consideration (in share dealing)
HSK 6, n, 11 strokes, rank #1752, Hard
dàijià(dai4jia4)dai jia T4
1price
2cost
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March 24, 2026
代价(代價)dàijià(dai4jia4)
代价 (dài jià) refers to the price or cost associated with an action or decision, often implying a trade-off. It is commonly used in contexts involving financial transactions, personal sacrifices, or the consequences of choices made in life or business.
Strokes11Frequency#1752DifficultyHard
Cultural note
The concept of 代价 is prevalent in Chinese culture, especially in discussions about the sacrifices made for family or career advancement. The idea of paying a price for one's actions resonates with traditional values around hard work and accountability.
Memory tip
Imagine you are at a market where you have to decide whether to buy a beautiful vase. The '代' (dài) part looks like a person making a decision, while '价' (jià) resembles a price tag hanging from the vase. Together, they remind you of the cost you must consider before making a purchase.
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AI study notes for 代价
Quick Contrast
代价 (cost) vs 费用 (expense) — use 代价 when emphasizing the trade-off or consequence of a decision, while 费用 focuses on the incurred costs.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 代价 in contexts where it implies a negative consequence or sacrifice, as it often carries a heavier connotation than just 'price.' Avoid confusing it with 价格 (jiàgé), which strictly means 'price' without the implication of cost or sacrifice. It is more commonly used in formal discussions.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 word, 代价 connects to other financial terms and expressions that deal with value or cost. Focus on using it in sentences that reflect decision-making scenarios or discussions about investments to solidify its meaning and application.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 代价 with 价格, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这个东西的代价是五十块' (The cost of this thing is 50 yuan) is incorrect; it should be '这个东西的价格是五十块' to convey a simple price.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 代价
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代价 (dài jià) refers to the price or cost associated with an action or decision, often implying a trade-off. It is commonly used in contexts involving financial transactions, personal sacrifices, or the consequences of choices made in life or business.
When to use 代价
Be mindful of using 代价 in contexts where it implies a negative consequence or sacrifice, as it often carries a heavier connotation than just 'price.' Avoid confusing it with 价格 (jiàgé), which strictly means 'price' without the implication of cost or sacrifice. It is more commonly used in formal discussions.
代价 or something close to it
代价 (cost) vs 费用 (expense) — use 代价 when emphasizing the trade-off or consequence of a decision, while 费用 focuses on the incurred costs.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 代价 with 价格, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这个东西的代价是五十块' (The cost of this thing is 50 yuan) is incorrect; it should be '这个东西的价格是五十块' to convey a simple price.
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代
价
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Grammar patterns of 代价
代价 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Whatever the cost, she was going out to Cedar Bridge.
11
为了成功，有时我们必须支付巨大的代价。
Wèile chénggōng, yǒushí wǒmen bìxū zhīfù jùdà de dàijià.
To achieve success, sometimes we must pay a high price.
12
这份合同的签订以失去许多员工为代价。
Zhè fèn hétóng de qiāndìng yǐ shīqù xǔduō yuángōng wéi dàijià.
The signing of this contract came at the price of losing many employees.
13
这个项目的成功是以牺牲员工的健康为代价的。
Zhè gè xiàngmù de chénggōng shì yǐ xīshēng yuángōng de jiànkāng wéi dàijià de.
The success of this project came at the price of sacrificing employees' health.
14
他的决定让他付出了失去家庭的代价。
Tā de juédìng ràng tā fùchūle shīqù jiātíng de dàijià.
His decision cost him the price of losing his family.
15
为了赢得这场比赛，我们付出了巨大的代价。
Wèile yíngdé zhè chǎng bǐsài, wǒmen fùchūle jùdà de dàijià.
To win this match, we paid a great price.
16
科技的发展有时是以环境恶化为代价的。
Kējì de fāzhǎn yǒu shí shì yǐ huánjìng èhuà wéi dàijià de.
The development of technology sometimes comes at the price of environmental degradation.
17
为了成功，有时我们必须支付巨大的代价。
Wèile chénggōng, yǒushí wǒmen bìxū zhīfù jùdà de dàijià.
To achieve success, sometimes we must pay a high price.
18
这份合同的签订以失去许多员工为代价。
Zhè fèn hétóng de qiāndìng yǐ shīqù xǔduō yuángōng wéi dàijià.
The signing of this contract came at the price of losing many employees.
19
这个项目的成功是以牺牲员工的健康为代价的。
Zhè gè xiàngmù de chénggōng shì yǐ xīshēng yuángōng de jiànkāng wéi dàijià de.
The success of this project came at the price of sacrificing employees' health.
20
他的决定让他付出了失去家庭的代价。
Tā de juédìng ràng tā fùchūle shīqù jiātíng de dàijià.
His decision cost him the price of losing his family.
21
为了赢得这场比赛，我们付出了巨大的代价。
Wèile yíngdé zhè chǎng bǐsài, wǒmen fùchūle jùdà de dàijià.
To win this match, we paid a great price.
22
科技的发展有时是以环境恶化为代价的。
Kējì de fāzhǎn yǒu shí shì yǐ huánjìng èhuà wéi dàijià de.
The development of technology sometimes comes at the price of environmental degradation.
23
为了成功，有时我们必须支付巨大的代价。
Wèile chénggōng, yǒushí wǒmen bìxū zhīfù jùdà de dàijià.
To achieve success, sometimes we must pay a high price.
24
这份合同的签订以失去许多员工为代价。
Zhè fèn hétóng de qiāndìng yǐ shīqù xǔduō yuángōng wéi dàijià.
The signing of this contract came at the price of losing many employees.
25
这个项目的成功是以牺牲员工的健康为代价的。
Zhè gè xiàngmù de chénggōng shì yǐ xīshēng yuángōng de jiànkāng wéi dàijià de.
The success of this project came at the price of sacrificing employees' health.
26
他的决定让他付出了失去家庭的代价。
Tā de juédìng ràng tā fùchūle shīqù jiātíng de dàijià.
His decision cost him the price of losing his family.
27
为了赢得这场比赛，我们付出了巨大的代价。
Wèile yíngdé zhè chǎng bǐsài, wǒmen fùchūle jùdà de dàijià.
To win this match, we paid a great price.
28
科技的发展有时是以环境恶化为代价的。
Kējì de fāzhǎn yǒu shí shì yǐ huánjìng èhuà wéi dàijià de.
The development of technology sometimes comes at the price of environmental degradation.
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Frequently asked questions about 代价
代价 refers to the cost or price associated with a decision or consequence, while 价格 specifically means the price of an item without the implications of sacrifice.
Yes, but it is more common in formal contexts or discussions about significant decisions, rather than casual conversations.
It is often used in negative contexts, emphasizing the sacrifices or costs associated with a choice.
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