Translation guide
How to express 'paying off' in Japanese, covering financial repayment, bribery, and the idea of effort being rewarded.
To fully pay back money that is owed, such as a loan, mortgage, or debt.
A formal term meaning to pay off a debt completely. Commonly used for loans and mortgages.
住宅ローンを完済した。
I paid off my mortgage.
A general term for repaying a debt. Can be used for partial or full repayment, but often implies full repayment in context.
To give money or favors to someone, often illegally, to influence their actions.
Literally 'to hand over a bribe'. The most direct way to say 'to bribe'.
役人に賄賂を渡して許可をもらった。
He paid off the official to get the permit.
When hard work or an investment eventually yields a positive result.
Do not use 支払う (しはらう) or other payment words when talking about effort being rewarded. Use 報われる or 実を結ぶ instead.
努力が支払った
Hard work paid (incorrect)
It took five years to pay off the debt.
Literally 'to finish paying'. A more casual way to say you've finished paying something off.
やっと車のローンを払い終えた。
I finally paid off the car loan.
Means to settle or liquidate a debt. Often used in business or accounting contexts.
負債を清算するために会社を売却した。
They sold the company to pay off its debts.
An idiomatic expression meaning to grease someone's palm or give a bribe.
あの政治家は袖の下を使うことで有名だ。
That politician is famous for paying people off.
Means to buy off or corrupt someone, often used in political or corporate scandals.
彼は証人を買収しようとした。
He tried to pay off the witness.
An intransitive verb meaning 'to be rewarded' or 'to pay off'. Used when effort leads to a good outcome.
努力が報われて嬉しい。
I'm glad my hard work paid off.
Literally 'to bear fruit'. A metaphorical way to say that efforts have paid off.
長年の研究がついに実を結んだ。
Years of research finally paid off.
Means 'to produce results'. A straightforward way to say that something paid off.
新しい戦略で成果が出た。
The new strategy paid off.