Thinking it cost more with 〜気がする

Grammar Explanation: Thinking or feeling something with 〜気がする

As thanks for Naho making him lunches, Kakeru gives her a jewel-encrusted hair clip. In her room later, Naho looks over the piece.

菜穂(なほ):: 「絶対(ぜったい)お弁当代(べんとうだい)より高(たか)い気(き)がする」; “I think it definitely cost more than lunch.”; Literal: “I feel like it's definitely more expensive than the lunch cost.”

Key Points

1〜気(き)がする = I feel

In this pattern, 気(き) is not “spirit” in a literal sense; the whole phrase expresses a personal impression.

2より makes a comparison

The comparison is より高(たか)い = “more expensive than”.

3絶対(ぜったい) adds strong confidence, even with a subjective phrase

気(き)がする is still an impression, not hard proof.
But starting with 絶対(ぜったい) makes her sound very convinced of that impression.

4Why this is softer than a direct statement

Saying 高(たか)い alone would sound more definite.
「高(たか)い気(き)がする」 leaves a little room for uncertainty.

Vocabulary

弁当代 (Lunch money)

弁当代(べんとうだい) means lunch money or the cost of a boxed meal. It refers to the money paid for a bento, and by extension can mean what someone spent on lunch.

絶対 (Absolute)

絶対(ぜったい) means absolute or unconditional. It suggests something so complete that it stands beyond opposition or exception.