Translation guide
How to express 'paying off' in Japanese, covering financial repayment, bribery, and the idea of effort being rewarded.
To fully pay back money that is owed, such as a loan, mortgage, or debt.
A formal term meaning to pay off a debt completely. Commonly used for loans and mortgages.
I paid off my mortgage.
To give money or favors to someone, often illegally, to influence their actions.
Literally 'to hand over a bribe'. The most direct way to say 'to bribe'.
When hard work or an investment eventually yields a positive result.
An intransitive verb meaning 'to be rewarded' or 'to pay off'. Used when effort leads to a good outcome.
Do not use 支払う (しはらう) or other payment words when talking about effort being rewarded. Use 報われる or 実を結ぶ instead.
Hard work paid (incorrect)
A general term for repaying a debt. Can be used for partial or full repayment, but often implies full repayment in context.
It took five years to pay off the debt.
Literally 'to finish paying'. A more casual way to say you've finished paying something off.
I finally paid off the car loan.
Means to settle or liquidate a debt. Often used in business or accounting contexts.
They sold the company to pay off its debts.
He paid off the official to get the permit.
An idiomatic expression meaning to grease someone's palm or give a bribe.
That politician is famous for paying people off.
Means to buy off or corrupt someone, often used in political or corporate scandals.
He tried to pay off the witness.
I'm glad my hard work paid off.
Literally 'to bear fruit'. A metaphorical way to say that efforts have paid off.
Years of research finally paid off.
Means 'to produce results'. A straightforward way to say that something paid off.
The new strategy paid off.