Translation guide
The cost of a ride on public transportation, such as a bus, train, or taxi. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with specific words for fare or fee, depending on the mode of transport.
The money paid for a ride on public transportation like a train, bus, or subway.
The most common and general word for fare or transportation fee, used for trains, buses, and other public transit.
電車の運賃はいくらですか。
How much is the train fare?
バスの運賃を払う。
Pay the bus fare.
A broader term for fee or charge, also used for transportation fares, especially in formal contexts or for specific services like express trains.
タクシーの料金が高い。
The taxi fare is expensive.
Literally 'boarding fee', used in formal or written contexts, such as on signs or official notices.
乗車料金は前払いです。
The fare is paid in advance.
Specifically the cost of a taxi ride.
The most natural way to say taxi fare in everyday conversation. 代 means cost or charge.
タクシー代が足りない。
I don't have enough for the taxi fare.
A more formal term for taxi fare, often used in official contexts or on receipts.
タクシー料金はメーターで計算されます。
The taxi fare is calculated by the meter.
The cost of a train ticket, often for a specific distance or line.
A common, slightly casual term for train fare. 賃 is a suffix meaning charge or fee.
電車賃を節約する。
Save on train fare.
Literally 'ticket cost', used when referring to the price of a train ticket.
切符代は往復で千円です。
The round-trip train fare is 1,000 yen.
The cost of a bus ride.
The most common way to say bus fare in daily speech.
バス代は二百円です。
The bus fare is 200 yen.
A more formal term, often used in official announcements or written information.
バス運賃の改定について
Regarding the revision of bus fares
Referring to the money set aside or needed for transportation costs, not a specific ride.
General term for transportation expenses, including carfare, gas, etc. Commonly used in contexts like commuting allowance.
会社から交通費が出る。
The company covers my transportation expenses.
交通費を浮かすために歩いた。
I walked to save on carfare.
Often used to mean money for train fare in a general sense, similar to 'train money'.
運賃 is specifically for transportation fares (trains, buses). 料金 is a broader fee (can include admission, service charges). 代 is a suffix meaning 'cost' and is very colloquial (e.g., タクシー代, バス代). Use 代 in casual speech, 運賃 in neutral/formal contexts.
Attach 代 to the vehicle type for a natural, everyday expression: 電車代 (train fare), バス代 (bus fare), タクシー代 (taxi fare). This is the most common way to talk about carfare in casual conversation.
東京から大阪までの運賃は高い。
The carfare from Tokyo to Osaka is expensive.
Neutral, using 運賃 for long-distance train fare.
電車代がかさむ。
Train fare adds up.