半額（はんがく、hangaku）
- half price

The Japanese word 半額 (読み方: はんがく) means "half price" or "half off." It indicates that the price of something has been reduced to 50% of its original cost. It is commonly used in sales, discounts, and promotional offers. The word emphasizes the reduced price rather than the original price. ⚫︎ It is a concise way to express that something is available at a lower cost than usual. ⚫︎ This is a very common phrase to see during sales or clearance events.

⚫︎ この商品は半額です。 Translation: This product is half price. ⚫︎ 半額セール実施中！ Translation: Half-price sale in progress! ⚫︎ 半額で美味しいケーキが食べられます。 Translation: You can eat delicious cake at half price.

You can use 半額 in various situations related to sales and discounts. ⚫︎ When describing the price of an item. ⚫︎ In advertising or promotional materials. ⚫︎ When informing someone about a discounted price. It's important to note that the context makes it clear what the original price was, even if it is not explicitly stated. For example, if a sign reads 半額, it implies the original price is understood.

半額 is typically written in kanji and hiragana: ⚫︎ Kanji: 半 (han - half) + 額 (gaku - price, amount) ⚫︎ Hiragana (reading): はんがく There are no common variations in the okurigana for this word.

There are some synonyms, although 半額 itself is very direct. ⚫︎ 50％オフ (go-juu paasento ofu) - 50% off (borrowed from English "off") ⚫︎ 割引 (waribiki) - Discount ⚫︎ 値下げ (netage) - Price reduction However, 半額 is the most concise and commonly used term specifically for "half price".

⚫︎ 定価 (teika) - Regular price/Original price ⚫︎ 全額 (zengaku) - Full price

この本は、半額で購入できました。 ・Translation: I could buy this book at half price. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the successful purchase of a book at a discounted price.

今日は半額の食材を使って料理を作ります。 ・Translation: Today, I will cook using half-price ingredients. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the speaker will use ingredients purchased at a reduced price for cooking.

The word 半額 is a combination of two kanji: ⚫︎ 半 (han) - which means "half". ⚫︎ 額 (gaku) - which means "amount" or "price". Therefore, 半額 literally means "half the amount," directly translating to "half price." The etymology reflects its straightforward meaning.