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The date after which something is no longer valid, usable, or safe.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.
この牛乳の賞味期限は明日です。
This milk's best-before date is tomorrow.
賞味期限が切れた食品は食べない方がいい。
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.
消費期限が過ぎた肉は絶対に食べないでください。
Please never eat meat past its use-by date.
お弁当の消費期限は今日中です。
The use-by date for the bento is today.
Expiration date for non-food items like medicine, coupons, tickets, or official documents. Indicates the period of validity.
この薬の有効期限は来月です。
This medicine expires next month.
クーポンの有効期限が切れています。
The coupon has expired.
The date on which a legal document, agreement, or official permission ceases to be valid.
The standard term for expiration date of passports, visas, credit cards, contracts, etc.
パスポートの有効期限を確認してください。
Please check the expiration date of your passport.
ビザの有効期限が近づいています。
The visa expiration date is approaching.
A more general term for deadline or due date, often used in contexts like payment or submission.
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.
レポートの提出期限は明日です。
The deadline for submitting the report is tomorrow.
このオファーには期限があります。
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.
この牛乳の賞味期限はいつですか？
What is the expiry date on this milk?
私の運転免許証の有効期限は来年です。
My driver's license expires next year.
The deadline for application is the end of this month.