Translation guide
The date after which something is no longer valid, usable, or safe. In Japanese, the term depends on whether it refers to food, documents, or other items.
The date after which a product should not be consumed or used because it may be spoiled or ineffective.
Best-before date for food and drinks. Indicates the period during which the product tastes best, but it may still be safe to eat after this date.
This milk's best-before date is tomorrow.
It's better not to eat food past its best-before date.
Use-by date for highly perishable foods. After this date, the food is considered unsafe to eat.
Please never eat meat past its use-by date.
Expiration date for non-food items like medicine, coupons, tickets, or official documents. Indicates the period of validity.
This medicine expires next month.
The date on which a legal document, agreement, or official permission ceases to be valid.
A point in time by which something must be done or after which something is no longer relevant.
Used for deadlines in general, such as for assignments, payments, or offers.
The deadline for submitting the report is tomorrow.
This offer has an expiry date.
賞味期限 (shōmi kigen) is a 'best-before' date for quality, while 消費期限 (shōhi kigen) is a 'use-by' date for safety. 賞味期限 is common on snacks and drinks; 消費期限 is on fresh items like meat and bento. Using the wrong term can cause confusion about food safety.
For medicine, tickets, or documents, always use 有効期限 (yūkō kigen). Using 賞味期限 would sound odd because it implies edibility.
What is the expiry date on this milk?
My driver's license expires next year.
お弁当の消費期限は今日中です。
The use-by date for the bento is today.
The coupon has expired.
The visa expiration date is approaching.
The deadline for application is the end of this month.