Translation guide
A payment given for professional services that are rendered nominally without charge, or for which a fee is not legally required. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific terms depending on the context, such as academic lectures, medical services, or general professional courtesy.
A fee paid to a guest speaker, lecturer, or academic for a talk or service that is not part of their regular salaried work.
The most common and general term for an honorarium, literally 'gratitude money'. Used widely for payments to lecturers, panelists, or professionals for one-time services.
講演の謝礼金を受け取った。
I received an honorarium for the lecture.
A slightly more formal or abbreviated form of 謝礼金. Often used in written contexts or when the monetary aspect is implied.
謝礼として図書カードを贈呈した。
We presented a book card as an honorarium.
Specifically a fee for a lecture or speech. More direct than 謝礼金, but less common in everyday use.
講演料は後日お支払いします。
The honorarium for the lecture will be paid at a later date.
A fee paid to a doctor or medical expert for a consultation, examination, or service that is not covered by standard medical fees or insurance.
Also used in medical contexts for honoraria, such as payments to doctors for speaking at events or providing expert opinions.
医師への謝礼金は病院の規定に従ってください。
Please follow the hospital's regulations regarding honoraria for doctors.
Technically refers to medical service fees, but can be used in contexts where an honorarium is paid for medical services outside insurance. More formal and bureaucratic.
この診療報酬は保険適用外です。
This medical fee is not covered by insurance.
A small payment given as a gesture of thanks for services that are officially free or voluntary, such as serving on a committee or providing advice.
Literally 'small thanks', used to describe a modest honorarium. Often seen in formal invitations or announcements.
薄謝を進呈いたします。
We will offer a small honorarium.
A small token of appreciation, often monetary. Used in similar contexts to 薄謝 but slightly more casual.
寸志ですが、お受け取りください。
It's just a small token, but please accept it.
A payment to an artist, writer, or performer for a contribution that is not a standard commercial transaction.
Specifically a fee for a manuscript or written contribution. Common for articles, essays, or books.
雑誌の原稿料を受け取った。
I received an honorarium for the magazine article.
A performance fee, used for actors, musicians, or speakers appearing at events. Can be considered an honorarium if the event is non-commercial.
謝礼金 is a one-time payment for a specific service, often voluntary or outside regular employment. 給料 is a regular salary for ongoing work. Using 給料 for an honorarium would be incorrect.
講演の謝礼金は給料とは別です。
The honorarium for the lecture is separate from salary.
The English word 'honorarium' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using オノラリウム (a direct transliteration) is not understood. Always choose a context-appropriate term like 謝礼金 or 講演料.
チャリティーイベントの出演料は辞退した。
I declined the honorarium for the charity event performance.