Translation guide
In Japan, rechargeable prepaid IC cards are widely used for public transportation and cashless payments at stores. The most common nationwide card is Suica, but many regional variants exist. This guide explains how to refer to these cards naturally in Japanese.
When you want to refer to the card itself without specifying a brand, or when you don't know the exact name.
The standard generic term. Use this when talking about the technology or when the brand is unknown or irrelevant.
ICカードで支払えますか？
Can I pay with an IC card?
このICカードは全国で使えます。
This IC card can be used nationwide.
Specifies that it's a transit-related IC card, useful when distinguishing from other types like employee ID cards.
交通系ICカードを持っていますか？
Do you have a transit IC card?
When you know the exact card name or want to be precise about which card you have or need.
The most ubiquitous IC card in Japan, issued by JR East. Often used as a generic term for any transit IC card, especially in the Tokyo area.
Suicaをチャージしたいです。
I'd like to top up my Suica.
Suicaで改札を通れます。
You can pass through the ticket gate with Suica.
When you need to add money to the card.
The standard verb for adding money to an IC card. Used with the card name as the object.
Suicaにチャージしたいんですが。
I'd like to top up my Suica.
チャージはどこでできますか？
Where can I top up?
When you want to say you'll pay with the card, or ask if a store accepts it.
Use the card name + で to indicate the payment method. 払う is casual, 支払う is slightly more formal.
Suicaで払います。
I'll pay with Suica.
When you want to know how much money is left on the card.
Standard phrase for checking the balance. Can be used with any card.
Suicaの残高を確認したいです。
I'd like to check my Suica balance.
These are all interoperable transit IC cards. Suica is issued by JR East, PASMO by non-JR Tokyo-area transit companies, and ICOCA by JR West. In practice, they work almost everywhere in Japan for transit and shopping. When in doubt, saying 'Suica' is widely understood, even in regions where it's not the local card.
Suicaは大阪でも使えますか？
Can I use Suica in Osaka?
Many Japanese people now use IC cards on their smartphones (e.g., Apple Pay Suica, Google Pay PASMO). You can refer to these as モバイルSuica (Mobile Suica) or simply say スマホのSuica (Suica on my phone).
スマホのSuicaで払えます。
I can pay with the Suica on my phone.
The direct translation '再充電可能なカード' (saijūden kanōna kādo) is unnatural. Japanese uses 'ICカード' or the brand name. The verb 'チャージする' covers recharging.
電車用のICカードを買わないといけません。
I need to buy a rechargeable IC card for the train.
Natural way to express needing a transit IC card.
Another major IC card used mainly in the Tokyo area, issued by private railways and buses. Functionally interchangeable with Suica in most places.
PASMOはバスでも使えます。
PASMO can also be used on buses.
JR West's IC card, common in Osaka and western Japan. Nationwide interoperability means it works like Suica in most places.
ICOCAで買い物ができます。
You can shop with ICOCA.
Literally 'deposit money', used in more formal contexts or on machine interfaces. Less common in casual speech.
カードに入金してください。
Please add money to the card.
Can I pay with an IC card?
Onomatopoeic phrase meaning 'to tap' the card on the reader. Very casual and common in spoken Japanese.
ここでカードをピッとしてください。
Please tap your card here.
More casual way to say 'check the balance'.
残高を見せてください。
Please show me the balance.
このカードはチャージできます。
This card can be recharged.
The direct translation '再充電可能なカード' (saijūden kanōna kādo) is unnatural. Japanese uses 'ICカード' or the brand name. The verb 'チャージする' covers recharging.
このカードはチャージできます。
This card can be recharged.