Translation guide
The English word 'incentive' refers to something that motivates or encourages someone to do something. In Japanese, there is no single perfect equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you mean a financial reward, a psychological motivator, a stimulus, or a general reason to act.
A monetary or tangible benefit offered to encourage a specific action, such as a sales bonus, tax break, or discount.
A cash reward or bonus given as an incentive, often in business or sales contexts.
成績優秀者には報奨金が出る。
Top performers receive a cash incentive.
A loanword from English, commonly used in business for financial incentives like bonuses or commissions.
営業チームにはインセンティブ制度がある。
The sales team has an incentive system.
A subsidy or grant offered to encourage certain activities, such as government incentives for eco-friendly purchases.
電気自動車の購入に奨励金が出る。
A subsidy is provided for purchasing electric vehicles.
An internal or external factor that makes someone want to do something, often used in discussions of behavior, work, or learning.
A motive or reason for doing something; can be used for both positive and negative incentives.
彼が転職した動機は何ですか？
What was his incentive for changing jobs?
Motivation or willingness to do something; often used in personal or educational contexts.
A stimulus or spur; can be used when something acts as an incentive to action.
Government or organizational measures designed to encourage certain behaviors, like tax incentives or subsidies.
Preferential treatment or incentive measures, often used for tax incentives or special policies.
政府は中小企業に税制上の優遇措置を与えた。
The government gave tax incentives to small businesses.
Tax incentive or tax break; a common compound in policy contexts.
この制度は投資に対する税制優遇を提供する。
This system provides tax incentives for investment.
Something that encourages a person to take action, not necessarily financial.
An inducement or incentive; a factor that leads someone to act. Often used in economics or formal writing.
価格の低下が購入の誘因となった。
The price drop served as an incentive to buy.
Motivation or incentivization; the act of providing a motive. Common in psychology and management.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'incentive'. Using インセンティブ outside of business contexts may sound unnatural. Choose the word that matches the specific type of incentive.
動機 is a general motive or reason, often internal. 誘因 is an external inducement or incentive, often used in economics. For personal motivation, やる気 is more colloquial.
Having a reward gives me an incentive.
Competition serves as a good incentive.
社員の動機付けが重要だ。
Employee incentives are important.