Translation guide
A person whose job is to collect unpaid bills or debts. In Japanese, the term varies by context—ranging from formal corporate roles to informal or even aggressive debt collectors.
To refer to someone whose job involves collecting bills, payments, or debts, in a neutral or professional context.
A general term for a person who collects money, such as for utility bills or membership fees. Neutral and widely understood.
集金人が毎月家に来ます。
A bill collector comes to my house every month.
Refers to a person in charge of collecting money, often within an organization or for a specific group. Slightly more role-oriented than 集金人.
彼は町内会の集金係です。
He is the bill collector for the neighborhood association.
Literally 'person who collects,' often used for debt collection. Can imply a more forceful or persistent approach, so use with caution.
取り立て人が何度も電話をかけてきた。
The bill collector called repeatedly.
To describe a person who collects overdue debts, sometimes using pressure or intimidation, often in a negative sense.
Common term for a debt collector, often with a negative connotation. Used for both professional and informal collectors.
借金取りが家の前に立っていた。
A debt collector was standing in front of the house.
Slang term for a debt collector, often implying a tough or yakuza-like figure. Informal and somewhat derogatory.
Formal term for a debt collector or debt recovery agent, used in legal or business contexts.
債権回収者が法的措置を取った。
The debt collector took legal action.
To refer specifically to someone who collects payments for utilities, often going door-to-door.
Refers to a meter reader who may also collect payments, though primarily reads meters. Common for utility contexts.
検針員がガス代を集金に来た。
The meter reader came to collect the gas bill.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the person who comes to collect payment.' Natural in casual conversation.
集金に来る人がまだ来ない。
The bill collector hasn't come yet.
The English phrase 'bill collector' can be translated literally as 請求書コレクター, but this is not natural Japanese. Use context-appropriate terms like 集金人 or 借金取り instead.
集金人 is a neutral term for someone collecting regular payments (e.g., utilities, membership fees). 借金取り specifically refers to debt collection and often carries a negative, intimidating nuance.
あの取り立て屋は怖い。
That debt collector is scary.