Translation guide
The English word "charge" covers many distinct meanings, from money and responsibility to electricity and rushing forward. Japanese uses completely different words for each meaning, so it's essential to identify the intended sense before translating.
The amount of money asked for goods or services.
General term for a fee or charge for services, such as admission, usage, or service fees.
How much is the admission charge?
The electricity charge went up.
Specifically a handling or service charge, like a bank fee or processing fee.
The transfer charge is free.
Loanword from English, often used in casual contexts like cover charges at bars or topping up prepaid cards.
This place has a cover charge.
Being in charge of something or someone; having responsibility.
To be in charge of a task or area. Very common in work settings.
He is in charge of this project.
The person in charge or responsible person. Often used for a manager or supervisor.
To take charge of something for safekeeping, like looking after a child or holding someone's luggage.
Storing or supplying electrical energy; to charge a battery.
To move forward quickly and forcefully, especially in an attack.
To rush or charge forward, often in a physical or aggressive manner.
The soldiers charged the enemy lines.
To charge in a military or assault context; also used figuratively.
The cavalry charged.
To charge at someone with intent to attack; implies pouncing or lunging.
An official statement accusing someone of a crime.
A formal criminal charge or accusation filed with authorities.
He faced a charge of theft.
Indictment; the formal charge brought by a prosecutor.
Suspicion or alleged charge, often used in news reports.
To ask for payment, typically by recording an amount to be paid later.
Never assume a single Japanese word covers all meanings of "charge." Always identify the specific meaning first, then choose the appropriate Japanese expression. Using チャージ for a criminal charge or 料金 for rushing forward will cause confusion.
料金 is the general term for a fee. 手数料 is specifically a handling or processing fee. チャージ is a casual loanword often used for cover charges or prepaid top-ups, but not for utility bills or official fees.
There is no charge for this service.
Often expressed simply as 無料 (free) rather than using a word for charge.
Who is in charge here?
I need to charge my phone.
責任者を呼んでください。
Please call the person in charge.
荷物を預かってもらえますか。
Can you take charge of my luggage?
充電が切れた。
The charge ran out.
The dog suddenly charged at me.
The prosecution charged him with murder.
He was arrested on a charge of fraud.