Translation guide
The English word "expenses" covers a range of costs and spending. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 費用 (hiyou), but other words like 経費 (keihi) for business expenses and 出費 (shuppi) for personal outlays are also important. This guide helps you choose the right word based on context.
The money needed to pay for something, in a broad sense.
The most general and widely used term for 'expenses' or 'cost'. Suitable for both personal and business contexts.
旅行の費用はいくらですか。
How much are the travel expenses?
生活費は毎月かかる費用です。
Living expenses are costs incurred every month.
Refers to money spent or outlays, often from a personal or household budget perspective. Emphasizes the act of spending.
Expenditure, often used in accounting or formal contexts. Can refer to both personal and organizational spending.
Costs incurred in the course of business, often reimbursable or tax-deductible.
Business expenses, often used in contexts like expense reports, tax deductions, and company reimbursements.
Money spent on everyday needs like food, housing, and utilities.
Costs associated with traveling, such as transportation and lodging.
Travel expenses, often used for business trips or when someone else covers the cost.
Costs related to healthcare, medicine, or treatment.
Medical expenses, including doctor visits and hospital stays.
Costs for schooling, tuition, and related items.
School expenses, especially tuition.
費用 (hiyou) is the most general term for any kind of expense. 経費 (keihi) is specifically for business or official expenses, often reimbursed. 出費 (shuppi) emphasizes money going out, often from a personal budget. Use 費用 when in doubt.
引っ越しの費用がかさむ。
Moving expenses are piling up.
経費で落とせる。
It can be written off as a business expense.
今月は出費がかさんだ。
Expenses mounted this month.
I had a lot of expenses this month.
We need to reduce household expenses.
出張の経費を精算する。
I will submit my business trip expenses.
この経費は会社が負担します。
The company will cover these expenses.
Various or miscellaneous expenses, often used in business or project budgets.
諸経費を含めた見積もりを出してください。
Please provide an estimate including miscellaneous expenses.
Living expenses, the cost of maintaining a household.
生活費を抑えるために節約している。
I'm cutting back to reduce living expenses.
Food expenses, specifically.
食費が家計の大部分を占める。
Food expenses make up a large part of the household budget.
Utility expenses (electricity, gas, water).
冬は光熱費が高くなる。
Utility expenses go up in winter.
旅費は会社が支給します。
The company will provide travel expenses.
Transportation expenses, specifically for getting around.
交通費がかさむので、自転車で通っている。
Transportation expenses add up, so I commute by bicycle.
医療費控除の申請をした。
I applied for a medical expense deduction.
Medicine expenses, specifically.
薬代がばかにならない。
Medicine expenses are nothing to sneeze at.
学費を払うためにアルバイトをしている。
I work part-time to pay for school expenses.
Educational expenses in a broader sense, including supplies and extracurriculars.
子供の教育費が家計を圧迫している。
The children's educational expenses are straining the household budget.
English often uses 'expenses' where Japanese uses a more specific compound word (e.g., 食費 for food expenses, 交通費 for transportation). Using 費用 for everything can sound unnatural. Learn the common compounds for frequent expense types.
English often uses 'expenses' where Japanese uses a more specific compound word (e.g., 食費 for food expenses, 交通費 for transportation). Using 費用 for everything can sound unnatural. Learn the common compounds for frequent expense types.