Translation guide
The English word 'unpaid' covers several distinct situations: work done without pay, bills or debts not yet settled, and people not receiving a salary. Japanese uses different expressions for each, and the most natural choice depends on whether you're talking about voluntary work, overdue payments, or an unpaid position.
Describing work, labor, or services performed voluntarily or without receiving money in return.
Means 'without compensation' or 'free of charge'. Commonly used for volunteer work, unpaid internships, or services provided without pay. Neutral and widely understood.
He took on the work unpaid.
We are recruiting unpaid volunteers.
Literally 'no salary'. Used for positions or work that do not provide a wage, such as unpaid internships or apprenticeships. Slightly more formal than 無償.
Means 'working for free' or 'unpaid labor', often with a negative nuance of exploitation. Used when someone is made to work without proper compensation.
Referring to financial obligations that are overdue or still outstanding.
The standard term for 'unpaid' in financial contexts: bills, invoices, taxes, wages, etc. It means 'not yet paid' and is neutral.
Unpaid bills are piling up.
Often used for unpaid taxes, social insurance premiums, or membership fees. Implies a formal obligation that has not been fulfilled.
Means 'in arrears' or 'delinquent'. Used when payments are overdue, especially for rent, taxes, or loans. Stronger than 未払い, suggesting a failure to pay on time.
Describing someone who works without pay, such as a volunteer or an unpaid family worker.
Used as an adjective before a noun to describe an unpaid position or worker. For example, 'unpaid staff' or 'unpaid helper'.
She works as an unpaid staff member.
The loanword for 'volunteer'. In Japanese, it inherently implies unpaid work. Use this when the context is clearly voluntary.
未払い (miharai) is the most general term for 'unpaid' and simply means 'not yet paid'. 未納 (minō) is used for formal obligations like taxes or insurance premiums. 滞納 (tainō) implies delinquency or being in arrears, with a nuance of fault or lateness.
I demanded my unpaid wages.
Non-payment (unpaid) of taxes is illegal.
If you continue to be in arrears on your loan, you may lose your house.
English often uses 'unpaid' directly before a noun (unpaid work, unpaid bill). In Japanese, you usually need a compound like 未払いの (unpaid) or 無償の (without compensation). Simply saying 払われていない (has not been paid) can be grammatically correct but is often less natural than the set terms.
That internship is unpaid.
Overtime often ends up being unpaid work.
There are unpaid taxes.
Unpaid national pension contributions are becoming a problem.
家賃を三ヶ月滞納している。
I am three months behind on rent (unpaid rent).
He does unpaid volunteer work on weekends.