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.
彼は無償でその仕事を引き受けた。
He took on the work unpaid.
無償のボランティアを募集しています。
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.
そのインターンシップは無給です。
That internship is unpaid.
Means 'working for free' or 'unpaid labor', often with a negative nuance of exploitation. Used when someone is made to work without proper compensation.
残業してもただ働きになることが多い。
Overtime often ends up being unpaid work.
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.
未払いの請求書がたまっている。
Unpaid bills are piling up.
未払いの税金があります。
There are unpaid taxes.
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'.
彼女は無給のスタッフとして働いている。
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.
彼は週末にボランティアをしている。
He does unpaid volunteer work on weekends.
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.
未払いの給料を請求した。
I demanded my unpaid wages.
税金の未納は法律違反です。
Non-payment (unpaid) of taxes is illegal.
ローンの滞納が続くと家を失うかもしれません。
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.
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).