HOME > WordMaster® > DISCOUNT | 割引／割引をする／安売りの
2009.12.21(Review of 2006.12.26 edition)
Seasons greetings!
There is so much going on at this time of year that it's hard to keep up: the winter solstice, the Emperor's birthday, Christmas, New Year's, and the long New Year's holiday. Of course, retailers know an opportunity when they see one, and they haven't failed to notice that the holidays are a time when generous giving is in vogue. Thus, holiday advertising and sales abound. Well, we've got a few days before our own New Year's holiday begins, so let's take a second look at a couple of words that practically define the holiday sale!
DISCOUNT 割引／割引をする／安売りの
- A discount (noun) is a reduction of the usual price.
To discount (verb) an item is to reduce its price.
A discount (adjective) item is one that is sold at a reduced price. And a discount store, broker, airline, etc., sells goods or services at reduced prices.
Be Careful! We do NOT use the expression “price down” like the Japanese プライスダウン to mean discount. - 名詞の discount は、通常の価格を下げること、つまり、割引のことです。
動詞の discount は、あるものの価格を下げる、つまり、割引をする、という意味です。
形容詞の discount には、安売りの、という意味があります。また、discount store （ディスカウントストア）、discount broker （ディスカウントブローカー、手形割引仲介人）、discount airline （格安の航空会社）などは、割引をした価格で商品やサービスを提供します。
注意：英語では、「割引」の意味で、日本語の「プライスダウン」のように price down という言葉は使わず、たいてい discount を使います。
- (TV advertisement for kitchen knives)
Call us by December 31st and get a 10% discount on your entire order! - That restaurant offers discounts to seniors every Wednesday.
- (to a clerk at a computer store)
Do you have any student discounts? - Everything in the store has been discounted 20-50%.*
- You should go to the outlet stores in Fairfield. You can get all kinds of brand-name discount clothing there.
- They just opened a giant discount store, and they guarantee the lowest prices in the area.
- * In the United States, it's more common to say “20-50%” than “50-20%”.
Take care!