Translation guide
The English word 'levy' refers to imposing or collecting a tax, fee, fine, or military force. This guide covers how to express these actions naturally in Japanese, focusing on common verbs and nouns used in legal, financial, and administrative contexts.
To officially impose or collect a tax, duty, or fee.
The most common verb for imposing a tax, fine, or obligation. Often used in official contexts.
政府は新しい税を課した。
The government levied a new tax.
A fine was levied.
A formal term for imposing taxes or duties, often used in legal or administrative documents.
The city levies a resident tax.
Focuses on the collection aspect of a levy. Commonly used for taxes, fees, or dues.
Can mean to levy or collect, but often implies forceful or strict collection, such as debt collection. Use with caution.
May carry a negative nuance of harsh collection. Not a neutral term for tax levy.
To collect a debt (levy on a debtor).
To officially impose a monetary penalty.
To enlist or conscript soldiers, often historically.
The standard term for conscripting or levying troops. Used in historical and modern contexts.
The country levied an army.
To call up or muster troops, often for a specific purpose. Can be used for levying forces.
The king levied soldiers.
A more literary or historical phrase meaning to recruit or levy soldiers.
The shogunate levied troops.
The tax, fee, or amount that is levied.
Refers to taxation or a tax levy. Commonly used in compounds.
A new levy was introduced.
A formal term for a levy or assessment, often used in legal contexts.
The union collects a levy.
General word for tax. Can be used when 'levy' means a tax in context.
Both mean 'to impose,' but 課す is broader (taxes, duties, obligations), while 科す is specifically for penalties or punishments (fines, sentences). In many contexts they overlap, but for fines, 科す is more precise.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'levy.' Always choose the verb or noun based on what is being levied (tax, fine, troops). Using 課す or 徴収する is usually safe for financial contexts.
A fine is levied on violators.
この税金は輸入品に課される。
This levy is imposed on imports.