Translation guide
The English word 'instalment' (or 'installment') refers to a part of a payment, a story, or a series. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
A partial payment of a larger sum, often paid regularly over time.
pay by instalments · monthly instalments · buy on instalment
One part of a serialized story, TV show, or publication.
the next instalment of the series · a new instalment every week · the final instalment
Counter for episodes, instalments, or parts of a series. Used with numbers.
分割払い is the standard term for payment instalments. 分割 alone can be used in compounds or formal writing, but in casual speech 分割払い is clearer.
Do not use インストールメント (insutōrumento) for 'instalment'. It is not understood and sounds like 'installment' as in software installation.
The most common and natural way to say 'payment in instalments'. Literally 'split payment'.
このソファは分割払いで買えますか？
Can I buy this sofa in instalments?
分割払いにすると手数料がかかります。
There is a fee if you pay in instalments.
Short for 分割払い, often used in compounds or more formal contexts.
分割でお支払いいただけます。
You can pay in instalments.
Specifically monthly instalments. Slightly dated or formal, often used in contracts.
月賦で返済する。
Repay in monthly instalments.
Verb phrase meaning 'to pay in instalments'. More colloquial than 分割払い.
高かったので分割で払った。
It was expensive, so I paid in instalments.
Look forward to the next instalment!
このドラマは全12回です。
This drama has 12 instalments in total.
Counter for episodes or instalments of a story, often used for anime, manga, or serialized novels.
第3話を見逃した。
I missed the third instalment.
Loanword from English, commonly used for TV show episodes or story instalments.
次のエピソードが待ちきれない。
I can't wait for the next instalment.
Refers to a serialized publication (e.g., in a magazine). An instalment is often called 連載の一回.
この漫画は週刊誌で連載されている。
This manga is serialized in a weekly magazine.