Translation guide
The English word 'paying' can refer to giving money for goods or services, suffering consequences, or giving attention. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these core meanings.
The learner wants to express the act of paying money in exchange for something.
I paid at the register.
I forgot to pay the rent.
A more formal synonym of 払う, often used in business or official contexts.
Please pay the fee by the end of the month.
Noun meaning 'payment'. Often used in compounds like 支払い方法 (payment method).
Payment is cash only.
Used in restaurants or shops to ask for the bill or to pay. Literally 'the bill/check'.
Check, please.
The learner wants to express that someone experiences a bad result because of their actions.
Literally 'pay the price'. Used for suffering consequences of a mistake or bad decision.
He paid the price for his mistake.
Means 'to receive punishment'. Used when someone is punished for something.
He paid for his crime.
Idiom meaning 'to pay the price' or 'to face the music', often for accumulated misdeeds.
You'll have to pay for that someday.
The learner wants to express directing attention, respect, or a visit to someone.
English uses 'pay' in many figurative phrases (pay a visit, pay attention, pay respect). In Japanese, these are often expressed with different verbs or set phrases. Using 払う for all of them can sound unnatural.
pay attention
pay a visit
We pay respect to his achievements.
I plan to pay a visit to my teacher next week.