Translation guide
The English word "debit" refers to a financial transaction that removes money from an account. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 引き落とし (hikiotoshi), but the best choice depends on context: automatic deductions, bank transfers, card payments, or accounting entries.
To express that money is automatically taken from an account, typically for recurring bills.
The most common term for automatic debits, such as utility bills, subscriptions, or loan repayments. Often used with 口座 (こうざ, account).
公共料金は口座引き落としにしています。
I pay my utility bills by automatic debit.
引き落とし日は毎月27日です。
The debit date is the 27th of every month.
Explicitly states 'automatic' debit. Slightly more formal or explanatory.
自動引き落としの手続きをお願いします。
Please set up automatic debit.
Literally 'account transfer', used in banking contexts for automatic debits. Common on forms.
口座振替の登録が完了しました。
Registration for account debit has been completed.
To refer to paying with a debit card, where money is immediately deducted from a bank account.
The standard term for a debit card. Often used with 払い (ばらい, payment) or 支払い (しはらい).
デビットカードで支払えますか？
Can I pay with a debit card?
デビットカード払いにすると、すぐに口座から引き落とされます。
If you pay by debit card, the money is debited from your account immediately.
In Japan, some cash cards (ATM cards) have debit functions (J-Debit). This phrase is used when paying with such a card.
この店ではキャッシュカードで支払えます。
You can pay with your cash card (debit) at this store.
To refer to the left side of an account in double-entry bookkeeping.
The technical accounting term for 'debit'. Used in bookkeeping and financial statements. Opposite is 貸方 (かしかた, credit).
この取引を借方に記入してください。
Please enter this transaction on the debit side.
借方と貸方の合計が一致しません。
The totals of debits and credits do not match.
To describe money being taken out of an account in a non-specific way.
Means 'to withdraw' money. Can be used for debits in a broad sense, but more commonly for cash withdrawals.
口座からお金が引き出されました。
Money was debited from the account.
Means 'to deduct' or 'subtract'. Used when a specific amount is taken off a total, like fees or taxes.
Both refer to automatic debits. 引き落とし is more common in everyday speech. 口座振替 is often seen on official forms and banking documents. They are largely interchangeable, but 口座振替 sounds more technical.
引き落としの手続きをしました。
I set up the automatic debit.
口座振替依頼書を提出してください。
Please submit the account transfer request form.
There is no single Japanese verb that directly translates 'to debit'. Instead, use phrases like 引き落とす (ひきおとす) for automatic deductions, or 借方に記入する (かりかたにきにゅうする) in accounting. Using デビットする is not standard Japanese.
料金は月末に引き落とされます。
The fee will be debited at the end of the month.
A handling fee will be debited.