Translation guide
The English word 'paying' can refer to giving money for goods or services, suffering consequences, or giving attention. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these core meanings.
The learner wants to express the act of paying money in exchange for something.
The most common verb for 'to pay' money. Used for bills, fees, taxes, etc.
レジでお金を払った。
I paid at the register.
家賃を払うのを忘れた。
I forgot to pay the rent.
A more formal synonym of 払う, often used in business or official contexts.
料金は月末に支払ってください。
Please pay the fee by the end of the month.
Noun meaning 'payment'. Often used in compounds like 支払い方法 (payment method).
支払いは現金のみです。
Payment is cash only.
Used in restaurants or shops to ask for the bill or to pay. Literally 'the bill/check'.
お会計をお願いします。
Check, please.
The learner wants to express that someone experiences a bad result because of their actions.
Literally 'pay the price'. Used for suffering consequences of a mistake or bad decision.
彼は自分の過ちの代償を払った。
He paid the price for his mistake.
Means 'to receive punishment'. Used when someone is punished for something.
彼は罪の罰を受けた。
He paid for his crime.
Idiom meaning 'to pay the price' or 'to face the music', often for accumulated misdeeds.
いつかそのつけを払うことになるよ。
You'll have to pay for that someday.
The learner wants to express directing attention, respect, or a visit to someone.
Means 'to pay attention'. A common set phrase.
運転中は周りに注意を払ってください。
Please pay attention to your surroundings while driving.
Means 'to pay respect'. Used in formal contexts.
彼の功績に敬意を払う。
We pay respect to his achievements.
Means 'to visit'. Used when 'pay a visit' is meant.
来週、先生を訪問する予定です。
I plan to pay a visit to my teacher next week.
English uses 'pay' in many figurative phrases (pay a visit, pay attention, pay respect). In Japanese, these are often expressed with different verbs or set phrases. Using 払う for all of them can sound unnatural.