Translation guide
The English word "allowance" covers several distinct concepts: a regular sum of money given to someone (like pocket money), an amount of something permitted (like baggage allowance), a tax deduction, and a concession or tolerance. Each meaning has different natural Japanese expressions.
A regular sum of money given to a child, spouse, or oneself for personal expenses.
The most common word for pocket money or an allowance given regularly, especially to children or between spouses.
毎月、子供に小遣いをあげています。
I give my child an allowance every month.
小遣いが足りなくて、新しいゲームが買えません。
My allowance isn't enough to buy a new game.
Polite form of 小遣い, often used when referring to someone else's allowance or in polite conversation.
お小遣いをいくらもらっていますか？
How much allowance do you get?
The maximum amount of something allowed, such as weight or number of items.
General term for an allowed amount or capacity, often used for baggage, load, etc.
手荷物の許容量は20キロです。
The baggage allowance is 20 kilograms.
Refers to carry-on restrictions, often used for liquids or items on planes.
液体の持ち込み制限を確認してください。
Please check the liquid allowance.
Formal term for free baggage allowance, used by airlines.
無料手荷物許容量は航空会社によって異なります。
The free baggage allowance varies by airline.
An amount of money that can be subtracted from income when calculating tax.
General term for a tax deduction or exemption. Often combined with specific types.
扶養控除を受けることができます。
You can claim a dependent allowance.
医療費控除の申請を忘れないでください。
Don't forget to apply for the medical expense allowance.
Income deduction; a broader category of tax allowances.
Basic deduction; a standard allowance in Japanese tax law.
The act of allowing for something, being lenient, or considering special circumstances.
To take into account, to make allowances for. Often used with ～を考慮する.
彼の年齢を考慮して、もう少し待ちましょう。
Let's make allowances for his age and wait a little longer.
To overlook, be lenient, or make allowances for someone's mistake or behavior.
初めての失敗だから、大目に見てあげてください。
Since it's his first mistake, please make allowances for him.
To take extenuating circumstances into consideration; formal, often used in legal or official contexts.
情状酌量の余地がある。
There are grounds for making allowances.
小遣い only refers to personal spending money. Using it for tax deductions or baggage limits will cause confusion.
手当 (てあて) can mean allowance in the sense of a benefit or stipend (e.g., housing allowance), but it is usually a formal payment from an employer, not pocket money.
所得控除を増やす方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to increase my tax allowances.
基礎控除はすべての納税者に適用されます。
The basic allowance applies to all taxpayers.