Meaning and Usage
The word 代价 (dài jià) primarily means "price" or "cost," but it often refers to the figurative cost or sacrifice required to achieve something, such as effort, time, or loss. It is commonly used to express that success or benefits come with a price.
Common Collocations
- 付出代价 (fùchū dàijià): to pay a price or cost, often used when discussing sacrifices.
- 代价高昂 (dàijià gāo'áng): high cost or expensive price, used for both literal and figurative costs.
- 代价惨重 (dàijià cǎnzhòng): heavy price, emphasizing serious consequences or losses.
Usage Notes
When using 代价, speakers often imply that something valuable or important is gained but at a significant cost. It is frequently used in formal or written contexts but also appears in spoken language when discussing consequences or sacrifices.
Avoid confusing 代价 with 价格 (jiàgé), which strictly means the monetary price of goods or services. 代价 has a broader meaning including non-monetary costs.