Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing a salary increase depends on context: a general raise, a scheduled increment, or a promotion-based increase. The most common term is 昇給 (shoukyuu), but other words like ベースアップ (bēsu appu) and 昇格 (shoukaku) are used in specific situations.
To talk about a raise in base pay, often as part of annual reviews or negotiations.
The standard term for a salary increase, typically an annual raise. Used in both formal and everyday contexts.
今年は昇給がなかった。
I didn't get a raise this year.
昇給の交渉をした。
I negotiated a salary increase.
A more casual, descriptive way to say 'salary goes up'. Often used in conversation.
来月から給料が上がるらしい。
I heard our salaries will go up from next month.
Refers specifically to an increase in base pay, often used in labor union contexts or company-wide adjustments. Abbreviated as ベア.
組合はベースアップを要求している。
The union is demanding a base pay increase.
When a salary increase comes with a higher position or rank.
Promotion in rank, which typically includes a salary increase. Focuses on the status change.
昇格して給料が上がった。
I got promoted and my salary increased.
Career advancement or promotion, often implying a raise. More about job title progression.
A regular, often seniority-based, step increase in salary.
A fixed, scheduled raise, usually once a year, based on length of service. Common in traditional Japanese companies.
この会社では定期昇給が保証されている。
In this company, annual increments are guaranteed.
昇給 is a general raise, which can be based on performance or seniority. ベースアップ specifically means raising the base wage scale for all employees, often negotiated by unions.
In casual business Japanese, you can say 給料アップ (kyuuryou appu) or 年収アップ (nenshuu appu) to mean a salary increase, but these are less formal than 昇給.
昇進に伴い、年収が増えた。
With the promotion, my annual income increased.