Translation guide
A partial refund or discount given after a purchase, often as an incentive or adjustment.
The most common meaning: money returned to the buyer after paying full price, often via a claim process.
The standard loanword for 'rebate' in business and consumer contexts. Commonly used for manufacturer or dealer rebates.
There is a 1000 yen rebate on this product.
To receive the rebate, please send in the application form.
Often used interchangeably with リベート, but more commonly associated with credit card or service cash-back offers. Slightly more consumer-friendly term.
This credit card offers 1% cash back on purchases.
A native Japanese term for rebate or refund, often used in accounting or formal business contexts. Less common in everyday consumer language.
We provide a rebate to our business partners.
A general reduction in price, often at the point of sale, but sometimes called a 'rebate' in English.
The most common word for 'discount'. Use this when the price is reduced at the time of purchase, even if the English term 'rebate' is used loosely.
This item is 10% off.
Similar to 割引, but often implies a negotiated or discretionary price cut. Can be used for 'rebate' in the sense of a price reduction.
Money returned by the government due to overpayment of taxes.
リベート is the direct loanword for 'rebate' and is widely understood, especially for manufacturer or dealer incentives. キャッシュバック is more common for credit card or service cash-back offers. 割引 is a general discount applied at purchase, not a post-purchase refund. Use リベート when the money comes back after paying full price; use 割引 when the price is reduced upfront.
If the context is a post-purchase refund (e.g., mail-in rebate), using 割引 may confuse because it implies an immediate discount. Stick to リベート or キャッシュバック for clarity.
Can I get a discount?