Translation guide
The concept of payment or compensation for work or services. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this is 給料 (salary) or 報酬 (compensation), depending on context. Direct translations like 報酬 are more formal and often used in business or legal settings.
The fixed regular payment made by an employer to an employee, typically monthly or hourly.
The most common word for salary or wages. Used for regular employment income.
I haven't received this month's salary yet.
My salary went up.
Often used for hourly wages or blue-collar work. More formal than 給料.
The minimum wage was raised.
Loanword from English, used in business contexts but less common than 給料.
Annual salary systems are common.
Payment for a specific job, task, or service, not necessarily regular employment.
General term for compensation, fee, or reward for services. Used in business, legal, and freelance contexts.
What is the remuneration for this job?
Often used for honorariums or token payments, especially for speakers, volunteers, or professionals like doctors.
Slang for talent fee or performance fee, commonly used in entertainment industry.
Allowance or extra pay for specific duties or conditions, such as overtime or hazardous work.
Something given in return for effort or achievement, not necessarily money.
給料 is the standard word for salary from regular employment. 報酬 is broader and includes fees for specific services, often used in contracts. 賃金 is more formal and often refers to hourly wages or laborer pay.
The English word 'remuneration' is formal and somewhat rare. In Japanese, directly using 報酬 in casual conversation may sound stiff. Use 給料 for salary, or rephrase with お金 (money) or 支払い (payment) in everyday contexts.
Receive 10% as a success fee.
We will give you an honorarium for the lecture.
That actor's fee is apparently high.
Overtime allowance is provided.
見返りを求めずに助ける。
Help without expecting anything in return.