noun
A small reward or tip given for a service, often to a child or for a small errand. Can be used humorously for a small payment.
お使いに行ったら、お母さんが駄賃をくれた。
When I ran the errand, my mother gave me a small reward.
手伝ってくれたお礼に、少し駄賃をはずむよ。
As thanks for helping, I'll give you a little tip.
noun
conveyance charge; packhorse charge
Historical term for a fee paid for transporting goods by packhorse or porter. Rare in modern usage.
江戸時代には、荷物を運ぶのに駄賃を支払った。
In the Edo period, people paid a packhorse charge to transport goods.
Compound of 駄 (da, 'packhorse') and 賃 (chin, 'fee'). Originally referred to the charge for using a packhorse, later extended to mean a small reward or tip.