Translation guide
The English word 'bill' covers several distinct concepts: a request for payment, a proposed law, paper money, and a bird's beak. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
To refer to a statement of money owed for services, meals, or goods.
General term for a bill or invoice, used for utilities, services, or formal payment requests.
The electricity bill arrived.
Commonly used for the bill at a restaurant or bar. Often used in the phrase お勘定 (more polite).
Also used for the bill at a restaurant or store, slightly more formal than 勘定. Often heard as お会計.
A very casual, somewhat old-fashioned way to ask for the bill at a small eatery or izakaya. Not used in formal settings.
To refer to a draft of a law presented to a legislature.
The standard term for a legislative bill.
To refer to a piece of paper currency.
General term for paper money or banknotes.
To refer to the hard, pointed part of a bird's mouth.
The standard word for a bird's beak or bill.
Both 勘定 (かんじょう) and 会計 (かいけい) mean 'bill' at a restaurant. 勘定 is slightly more casual and traditional, while 会計 is a bit more formal and common in modern chain restaurants. Both are polite with お- prefix.
Please pay the bill over there.
The bill comes to 5,000 yen.
お勘定をお願いします。
Could I have the bill, please?
お会計は別々でお願いします。
We'd like separate bills, please.
Excuse me, the bill please.
A new bill was submitted to the Diet.
I paid with a 10,000-yen bill.
Casual, everyday term for a banknote. Often used in conversation.
Can you break this bill?
That bird has a long bill.
A more literary or technical term for beak, often used in written descriptions or ornithology.
The kingfisher's bill is sharp.
お会計をテーブルでお願いします。
Could we have the bill at the table?
The English word 'bill' is sometimes mistakenly rendered as ビル (biru) in Japanese, but that means 'building'. Always use the appropriate Japanese word from this guide.
Congress passed the bill.
I need to change a 10,000-yen bill.
札 (さつ) is a counter for bills; 一万円札 means a 10,000-yen bill.