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.
How much is the train fare?
A broader term for fee or charge, also used for transportation fares, especially in formal contexts or for specific services like express trains.
Literally 'boarding fee', used in formal or written contexts, such as on signs or official notices.
The fare is paid in advance.
Specifically the cost of a taxi ride.
The cost of a train ticket, often for a specific distance or line.
The cost of a bus ride.
The most common way to say bus fare in daily speech.
The bus fare is 200 yen.
Referring to the money set aside or needed for transportation costs, not a specific ride.
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.
Pay the bus fare.
タクシーの料金が高い。
The taxi fare is expensive.
The most natural way to say taxi fare in everyday conversation. 代 means cost or charge.
I don't have enough for the taxi fare.
A more formal term for taxi fare, often used in official contexts or on receipts.
The taxi fare is calculated by the meter.
A common, slightly casual term for train fare. 賃 is a suffix meaning charge or fee.
Save on train fare.
Literally 'ticket cost', used when referring to the price of a train ticket.
The round-trip train fare is 1,000 yen.
A more formal term, often used in official announcements or written information.
Regarding the revision of bus fares
General term for transportation expenses, including carfare, gas, etc. Commonly used in contexts like commuting allowance.
The company covers my transportation expenses.
I walked to save on carfare.
Often used to mean money for train fare in a general sense, similar to 'train money'.
Train fare adds up.
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.