Translation guide
The English word 'charging' covers several distinct actions: replenishing a battery, rushing forward aggressively, setting a price, and formally accusing someone. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
I charge an electric car.
Means 'charging in progress'. Often seen on screens or signs.
バッテリーは充電中です。
The battery is charging.
Loanword from English, commonly used for prepaid cards, e-money, or topping up accounts. Can also be used for batteries in casual contexts.
Suicaにチャージする。
I top up my Suica card.
To move forward quickly and forcefully, often in an attack or a sudden run.
To rush or charge forward, often used for people or animals in an aggressive manner.
兵士たちが敵陣に突進した。
The soldiers charged at the enemy lines.
To plunge or charge into something. Can be physical or metaphorical. More casual than 突進する.
彼は群衆の中に突っ込んだ。
He charged into the crowd.
Military term for a charge or assault. Used in historical or combat contexts.
騎兵隊が突撃した。
The cavalry charged.
To ask for a specific amount of money as payment for goods or services.
To bill or charge someone for a service or product. Formal and widely used in business.
料金を請求する。
I charge a fee.
To charge a fee, especially in the context of online services, subscriptions, or microtransactions.
アプリ内で課金する。
I make an in-app purchase (charge).
Literally 'to take a fee'. A more casual way to say you charge for something.
このサービスは料金を取ります。
This service charges a fee.
To officially state that someone has committed a crime.
To indict or formally charge someone with a crime. Legal term.
彼は殺人罪で起訴された。
He was charged with murder.
To accuse or bring charges, often used by prosecutors or in formal complaints.
検察が彼を告発した。
The prosecution charged him.
充電する is the standard verb for charging batteries. チャージする is a loanword often used for prepaid cards or e-money, but can also be used casually for batteries. In formal or technical contexts, stick with 充電する.
スマホを充電する。
Charge a smartphone.
カードにチャージする。
Top up a card.
While チャージする is understood, it is not appropriate for aggressive rushing or legal accusations. Use the specific verbs for those meanings.