Translation guide
How to express the date when something expires, such as food, documents, or contracts, in Japanese.
The date after which something is no longer valid or usable.
The most common and general term for expiration date, used for credit cards, contracts, licenses, etc.
このクレジットカードの有効期限は来月です。
This credit card's expiration date is next month.
A shorter, more casual term for deadline or expiration date, often used in everyday contexts.
Specifically for food products, indicating the date until which the food tastes best. Not a safety date.
Specifically for perishable food, indicating the date after which the food should not be consumed for safety reasons.
Referring to the printed date on an item.
A more formal or explicit way to say 'expiration date', often seen on official documents.
パスポートの有効期限日を確認してください。
Please check the expiration date on your passport.
A shorter version of 'expiration date', used in some contexts.
このクーポンの期限日は過ぎています。
This coupon's expiration date has passed.
How to ask when something expires.
A natural, common way to ask 'Until when is it valid?' or 'When does it expire?'
この割引はいつまでですか？
When does this discount expire?
Directly asks 'When is the deadline/expiration?'
この申し込みの期限はいつですか？
When is the deadline for this application?
Describing something that has already passed its expiration date.
Means 'expired' or 'past the deadline'. Used for documents, cards, etc.
このカードは期限切れです。
This card is expired.
A more formal way to say 'has expired'.
パスポートの有効期限が切れています。
The passport has expired.
賞味期限 (shōmi kigen) is the 'best-before' date, indicating peak quality. Food is often still safe to eat after this date. 消費期限 (shōhi kigen) is the 'use-by' date for highly perishable foods; consuming after this date may be unsafe.
While 有効期限 can technically be used for food, it's uncommon and may sound unnatural. Use 賞味期限 or 消費期限 instead.
When is the expiration date for this ticket?
この牛乳の賞味期限は明日です。
This milk's best-before date is tomorrow.
この弁当の消費期限は今日中です。
This bento's use-by date is today.