Japanese word

払う

Pronunciation

Romajiharau

Meaning

  • verbpay

Example

レジでお金を払います。re ji de o kane o hara i ma su

I pay at the register.

Illustration for 払う (pay)

More examples

お母さんが昼ご飯のお金を払います。o haha sa n ga hiru go han no o kane o hara i ma su

My mother pays for lunch.

店員に代金を払いました。ten in ni dai kin o hara i ma shi ta

I paid the clerk the amount due.

Core concept

Paying means handing over money to settle the cost of something received or a financial obligation.

Common phrases

  • お金を払うo kane o hara u

    pay money

  • カードで払うkā do de hara u

    pay by card

  • 料金を払うryō kin o hara u

    pay the fee

  • 現金で払うgen kin de hara u

    pay in cash

Similar words

支払うshiharau: To give money as payment for something received or for money owed.
納めるosameru: To give money due for taxes, fees, or other official charges.
払い込むharaikomu: To transfer money to a specified account or payment destination.

Definition in Japanese

商品やサービスの代金などとして金銭を相手に渡す。shō hin ya sā bi su no dai kin na do to shi te kin sen o ai te ni wata su

Word origin

払う (harau) is a native Japanese verb written with 払 (harau, "brush away"); the connection between this basic sense and the money sense is not established with certainty.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 支払う (shiharau) is a common compound meaning to make a payment, while 払う (harau) also has nonfinancial senses such as brushing something away.

Opposites

Related words

  • 払い方haraikataway to paynoun

Word lists with this word