Translation guide
The English word "charge" covers many distinct meanings, from money and responsibility to electricity and rushing forward. Japanese uses completely different words for each meaning, so it's essential to identify the intended sense before translating.
The amount of money asked for goods or services.
General term for a fee or charge for services, such as admission, usage, or service fees.
入場料金はいくらですか。
How much is the admission charge?
電気料金が上がった。
The electricity charge went up.
Specifically a handling or service charge, like a bank fee or processing fee.
振込手数料は無料です。
The transfer charge is free.
Loanword from English, often used in casual contexts like cover charges at bars or topping up prepaid cards.
この店はチャージがかかる。
This place has a cover charge.
Being in charge of something or someone; having responsibility.
To be in charge of a task or area. Very common in work settings.
彼がこのプロジェクトを担当しています。
He is in charge of this project.
The person in charge or responsible person. Often used for a manager or supervisor.
責任者を呼んでください。
Please call the person in charge.
To take charge of something for safekeeping, like looking after a child or holding someone's luggage.
Storing or supplying electrical energy; to charge a battery.
To charge a battery or device. The standard verb for recharging.
スマホを充電しなければならない。
I need to charge my phone.
Noun form: charging (of a battery).
充電が切れた。
The charge ran out.
Loanword, often used for prepaid cards or casual battery charging.
カードにチャージしておいた。
I charged the card (put money on it).
To move forward quickly and forcefully, especially in an attack.
To rush or charge forward, often in a physical or aggressive manner.
兵士たちが敵陣に突進した。
The soldiers charged the enemy lines.
To charge in a military or assault context; also used figuratively.
騎兵隊が突撃した。
The cavalry charged.
An official statement accusing someone of a crime.
A formal criminal charge or accusation filed with authorities.
彼は窃盗の告訴を受けた。
He faced a charge of theft.
Indictment; the formal charge brought by a prosecutor.
検察は彼を殺人で起訴した。
The prosecution charged him with murder.
Suspicion or alleged charge, often used in news reports.
To ask for payment, typically by recording an amount to be paid later.
To bill or charge someone for goods or services.
料金は後で請求されます。
The charge will be billed later.
To put on a tab; to charge to an account, often in a bar or restaurant.
今日はつけにしてください。
Please charge it to my account today.
Never assume a single Japanese word covers all meanings of "charge." Always identify the specific meaning first, then choose the appropriate Japanese expression. Using チャージ for a criminal charge or 料金 for rushing forward will cause confusion.
料金 is the general term for a fee. 手数料 is specifically a handling or processing fee. チャージ is a casual loanword often used for cover charges or prepaid top-ups, but not for utility bills or official fees.
このサービスは無料です。
There is no charge for this service.
Often expressed simply as 無料 (free) rather than using a word for charge.
ここの責任者は誰ですか。
Who is in charge here?
スマホを充電しないと。
I need to charge my phone.
荷物を預かってもらえますか。
Can you take charge of my luggage?
To charge at someone with intent to attack; implies pouncing or lunging.
犬が突然襲いかかってきた。
The dog suddenly charged at me.
He was arrested on a charge of fraud.