Translation guide
How to express the concept of a 'use-by date' in Japanese, covering food expiration labels, general deadlines, and related terms.
The date printed on food packaging indicating when it should be consumed by for safety or quality.
Refers specifically to the 'use-by date' for perishable foods that spoil quickly (e.g., meat, fish, bento). After this date, the food may be unsafe to eat.
The use-by date for this meat is tomorrow.
Please do not eat food past its use-by date.
Refers to the 'best-before date' for foods that last longer (e.g., snacks, canned goods). The food is still safe to eat after this date, but quality may decline.
The best-before date on this can is next year.
A general term for 'deadline' or 'expiration date'. Often used in compounds or when the context is clear. Less specific than 消費期限 or 賞味期限.
When is the expiration date on this product?
A date by which something must be used, submitted, or completed, not necessarily food.
How to ask what the use-by date is or say when it is.
Standard way to ask for the use-by date of a perishable food item.
When is the use-by date on this milk?
Standard way to ask for the best-before date of a longer-lasting food item.
Means 'Please use by ~'. A natural way to tell someone the deadline for using something.
消費期限 (shouhi kigen) is a safety limit for highly perishable foods. 賞味期限 (shoumi kigen) is a quality guideline for foods with longer shelf lives. Mixing them up can cause confusion or waste.
Raw fish is dangerous after its use-by date.
Snack foods can be eaten even after the best-before date.
使用期限 (shiyou kigen) is for non-food items. Using it for food sounds unnatural. Stick to 消費期限 or 賞味期限 for food.
賞味期限が過ぎても、すぐに食べれば大丈夫なことが多いです。
Even if the best-before date has passed, it's often okay to eat if you do so soon.
薬の使用期限を確認してください。
Please check the expiration date of the medicine.
Often used for official documents, licenses, passports, or credit cards. Means 'expiration date' or 'valid until'.
Your passport has expired.
申し込みの期限は明日です。
The deadline for applications is tomorrow.
When is the best-before date on these snacks?
Please use this ticket by next month.