Translation guide
The English word "costs" can refer to the money needed for something, the negative consequences of an action, or legal expenses. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to the amount of money required to buy, produce, or maintain something.
Referring to the loss, damage, or effort required to achieve something.
Referring to court fees or legal expenses.
The English idiom 'at all costs' is not directly translated. Use 何としても (なんとしても) or どうしても for 'no matter what'.
何としても成功させたい。
I want to make it succeed at all costs.
How much are the moving costs?
生活費が高くなっている。
Living costs are rising.
Loanword from English, common in business and technical contexts.
製造コストを削減する必要がある。
We need to reduce manufacturing costs.
Refers to business expenses or operating costs, often used in accounting.
出張経費を精算する。
I'll settle the travel costs.
Suffix meaning 'charge' or 'fee', attached to specific items like phone bills or repair costs.
修理代が高かった。
The repair costs were high.
Implies a price paid or sacrifice made, often used in serious contexts.
成功の代償は大きかった。
The cost of success was great.
Means 'sacrifice', often used when something valuable is given up.
多くの犠牲を払って平和を勝ち取った。
We achieved peace at great cost.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'the costs come back to you', used for delayed negative consequences.
無理を続けると、いつかつけが回ってくる。
If you keep pushing yourself, the costs will catch up with you someday.
Standard term for legal costs or litigation expenses.
訴訟費用は敗訴者が負担する。
The losing party bears the legal costs.