Talking about the Cost of Living

1. Vocabulary List

2. Grammar & Sentences

代（だい） — Utility Bill Suffix:

Add 代 after a utility name to say its bill/charge.

• 電話 → 電話代 (denwadai) — phone bill
• 電気 → 電気代 (denkidai) — electricity bill
• ガス → ガス代 (gasudai) — gas bill
• 水道 → 水道代 (suidōdai) — water bill

かかる — "To cost / To take":

Used for both money and time costs. When no specific amount is stated, use が before かかります.

• Structure (unspecified): [Subject] + が + かかります
• Structure (specified): [Subject] + は + [Amount] + かかります
• Example 1: 引っこしはお金がかかります。(Hikkoshi wa okane ga kakarimasu.) — "Moving costs money."
• Example 2: 家にガスがないので、ガスだいはかかりません。(Ie ni gasu ga nai node, gasudai wa kakarimasen.) — "Because there is no gas at home, I do not pay a gas bill."
• Example 3: 料理が好きなので、電気だいとガスだいがかかります。(Ryōri ga suki na node, denkidai to gasudai ga kakarimasu.) — "Because I like cooking, I spend on electricity and gas."

から — "Because" (casual reason connector):

• Structure: [Reason clause] + から + [Result clause]
• Key Phrase: 夏はエアコンを使うから、電気だいが高くなる。(Natsu wa eakon wo tsukau kara, denkidai ga taka ku naru.) — "Because I use an air conditioner during the summer, the electricity bill becomes expensive."

Note: 高くなる means "to become expensive". から is more casual than ので for explaining reasons.

Culture note — Consumption tax (消費税):

• Standard rate: 10% on products and services
• Reduced rate: 8% on food and drinks consumed at home
• 税込み (ぜいこみ) = displayed price with consumption tax included
• Example: しょうひぜいがかかります。(Shōhizei ga kakarimasu.) — "Consumption tax will be charged."

Key Sentences:

• 明日家ちんをはらいます。(Ashita yachin wo haraimasu.) — "I'll pay the rent tomorrow."
• 今月の電気だいは八千円でした。(Kongetsu no denkidai wa hassen en deshita.) — "The electricity bill for this month was 8,000 yen."
• 毎月一日に水道だいをはらいます。(Maitsuki tsuitachi ni suidōdai wo haraimasu.) — "I pay the water bill on the first of every month."
• 日本からアメリカまでの電話だいはいくらですか。(Nihon kara Amerika made no denwadai wa ikura desu ka.) — "How much is a phone call from Japan to the US?"

3. Learning Context

• Topic: Utility bills, moving costs, and tax in Japan
• Key pattern: [Utility] + 代 to form bill names; かかる for costs without specifying amount
• から vs ので: both mean "because"; から is more casual/direct, ので is softer and more polite
• Real-world use: Reading utility bills, discussing monthly living expenses

4. Progress Tracker