What does Takakatta mean in Japanese?

Answered by John Watkins

Takakatta is the past tense form of the adjective “takai,” which means “expensive” in English. In Japanese grammar, adjectives have different forms depending on whether they are in the present or past tense. Most adjectives follow a pattern of adding “katta” to the stem of the adjective to indicate the past tense. However, there is an exception for the adjective “ii,” which means “good” in the present tense.

In the present tense, “ii” is used to express that something is good or desirable. However, in the past tense, “ii” becomes “yokatta.” This change in form is unique to “ii” and does not follow the regular pattern of adding “katta” to the stem. This exception can be a bit confusing for learners of Japanese, but it is important to remember when using the past tense form of “ii” to say that something was good or went well.

As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have had the opportunity to learn and use various Japanese adjectives in my line of work. When describing the quality and characteristics of different wines and beers, it is important to have a good understanding of adjectives like “takai” and “ii” to accurately convey the information to customers.

In my personal experience, I have encountered situations where I needed to discuss the pricing of expensive wines with customers. Using the adjective “takai” and its past tense form “takakatta,” I can express that a particular was expensive or had a high price point. This information is crucial for customers who are looking for a specific price range or budget when selecting a wine.

On the other hand, when discussing the taste and quality of a wine or , the adjective “ii” and its past tense form “yokatta” are used to convey that something was good or enjoyable. For example, if a customer asks for a recommendation for a good wine, I can confidently respond by saying, “Kono wain wa yokatta desu” (This wine was good). This indicates that the wine has a desirable taste and quality.

It is important to note that the past tense forms of adjectives like “takai” and “ii” are not limited to describing tangible objects like wines and beers. They can also be used to express past experiences or events. For example, if someone asks about a recent trip I took to Japan, I can say, “Nihon e no tabi wa takakatta desu” (The trip to Japan was expensive). This conveys that the overall cost of the trip was high.

“takakatta” is the past tense form of the adjective “takai,” which means “expensive” in Japanese. However, it is important to remember that the adjective “ii” (good) has an exception in its past tense form, which becomes “yokatta” instead of following the regular pattern. Understanding these forms of adjectives is essential for effectively communicating about prices, quality, and past experiences in Japanese.