Translation guide
How to express that someone pays for something themselves, using their own money.
The most common way to say someone pays for something themselves, often in contrast to someone else paying or an expense account.
Literally 'with one's own belly', this is the most natural and common way to say 'at one's own expense' or 'out of one's own pocket'. Used in everyday conversation.
I paid for the business trip transportation out of my own pocket.
Even though it was a company drinking party, I was made to pay out of my own pocket.
More formal than 自腹で. Often used in official contexts like insurance, medical expenses, or company policies.
Similar to 自己負担で, but often used for larger expenses like study abroad, publishing a book, or medical treatment not covered by insurance.
A straightforward, slightly wordy way to say 'with one's own money'. Clear and easy to understand.
When you pay for your own meal or activity instead of letting someone else pay for you.
Means 'to split the bill' or 'go Dutch'. The most common way to suggest everyone pays their own share.
Let's split the bill today.
Simply 'I'll pay for myself'. Used when you want to make it clear you're covering your own cost.
I'll pay for myself here.
Literally 'not a treat', used to clarify that it's not someone else treating you. Often followed by 自分で払う etc.
When the cost or consequence is borne by oneself, not just financially but in terms of responsibility.
Means 'at one's own risk' or 'on one's own responsibility'. Used when someone takes an action and bears the consequences themselves.
This road is dangerous, so please proceed at your own risk.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to foot the bill oneself', often implying a reluctant or forced payment.
自腹 is casual and common in daily conversation. 自己負担 is formal and used in business or official documents. 自費 is often used for planned personal expenses like education or publishing.
The drinking party was out of my own pocket.
The out-of-pocket medical expenses increased.
Publish at one's own expense.
Avoid directly translating 'one's own expense' as 自分の費用. It sounds unnatural. Use the phrases above depending on context.
The cost of the health checkup is at your own expense.
I plan to study abroad at my own expense.
I bought this book with my own money.
Today it's not a treat; I'll pay for myself.
The company won't pay, so I have no choice but to foot the bill myself.