Translation guide
The English word "rate" covers several distinct meanings: a measure or speed, a price or charge, and the act of evaluating or ranking. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
Expressing a rate as a quantity measured against another quantity, such as speed, frequency, or proportion.
birth rate · unemployment rate · exchange rate · growth rate
Referring to a fixed price or charge for a service, often per unit of time.
hourly rate · interest rate · flat rate · competitive rates
To assess the quality, value, or performance of something, often on a scale.
rate a movie · rate someone's performance · highly rated · rate on a scale of 1 to 10
General verb meaning 'to evaluate' or 'to rate', used for assessing quality or performance.
この映画を5つ星で評価した。
I rated this movie 5 stars.
率 (りつ) is typically used as a suffix in compound words for specific rates (e.g., 出生率 birth rate, 失業率 unemployment rate). 割合 (わりあい) is a standalone noun meaning 'ratio' or 'proportion' and is more flexible in descriptive sentences.
レート is mainly used for exchange rates, interest rates, or competitive pricing. It is not used for rates like birth rate or unemployment rate. Use 率 for those.
ベビーシッターの相場はいくらですか？
What's the going rate for a babysitter?
相場 (そうば) means 'market rate' or 'going rate'.
今、為替レートが有利です。
The exchange rate is favorable now.
The birth rate is declining.
失業率は5%です。
The unemployment rate is 5%.
Means 'speed' or 'velocity', used when 'rate' refers to how fast something happens.
この車の加速速度はすごい。
This car's acceleration rate is amazing.
Means 'ratio' or 'proportion', often used in more descriptive contexts.
男性と女性の割合は3対1だ。
The rate of men to women is 3 to 1.
Means 'rate' or 'commission', often used in business contexts like interest rates or fees.
手数料の歩合は3%です。
The commission rate is 3%.
General term for 'fee' or 'charge', used for services like hotels, taxis, etc.
ホテルの宿泊料金は一泊1万円です。
The hotel's room rate is 10,000 yen per night.
タクシーの料金が上がった。
Taxi rates have gone up.
Loanword from English, often used for exchange rates or competitive rates.
今日の為替レートはいくらですか？
What is today's exchange rate?
Means 'price', more general but can be used for rates in some contexts.
このプランの月額価格は5000円です。
The monthly rate for this plan is 5000 yen.
My boss rated my work highly.
Means 'to rate' or 'to rank', often used for credit ratings or formal rankings.
その会社の債券はAAAに格付けされた。
The company's bonds were rated AAA.
Means 'to grade' or 'to score', used for tests, performances, or competitions.
先生がテストを採点した。
The teacher rated the tests.
Means 'to rank', often used for listing items in order of quality.
このサイトはレストランをランク付けしている。
This site rates restaurants.