Japanese word

生活費

Pronunciation

Romajiseikatsuhi

Meaning

  • nounliving expenses

Example

今月は生活費が足りません。kon getsu wa sei katsu hi ga ta ri ma se n

I do not have enough money for living expenses this month.

Illustration for 生活費 (living expenses)

More examples

家賃が安い町に引っ越して、生活費を節約しています。ya chin ga yasu i machi ni hi kko shi te sei katsu hi o setsu yaku shi te i ma su

I moved to a town with lower rent and am saving on living expenses.

Core concept

Refers to the money spent on the basic needs and regular activities of everyday living.

Common phrases

  • 生活費が足りないsei katsu hi ga ta ri na i

    not have enough money for living expenses

  • 生活費がかかるsei katsu hi ga ka ka ru

    it costs money to live

  • 生活費を節約するsei katsu hi o setsu yaku su ru

    save on living expenses

  • 生活費を抑えるsei katsu hi o osa e ru

    keep living expenses down

  • 生活費を稼ぐsei katsu hi o kase gu

    earn money for living expenses

Similar words

生計費seikeihi: The cost of providing for a person's or family's daily needs.
家計費kakeihi: The part of a household budget used for everyday goods and services.

Definition in Japanese

日常の生活を営むためにかかる食事や住まいなどの費用。nichi jō no sei katsu o itona mu ta me ni ka ka ru shoku ji ya su ma i na do no hi yō

Word origin

生活 (seikatsu, "daily life") is joined with 費 (hi, "expense") to describe money used for one's daily living.

Usage tips

  • The word 生活費 (seikatsuhi) is useful in conversations about moving out because rent and other household costs are normally considered part of it.

Word lists with this word