Translation guide
The concept of paying for goods or services before receiving them. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with set phrases like 前払い or 先払い, and the choice depends on context and formality.
To refer to the act of paying in advance in everyday situations, such as online shopping, subscriptions, or service fees.
The most common and neutral term for 'payment in advance'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
このサービスは前払いです。
This service requires payment in advance.
前払いでお願いします。
Please pay in advance.
Similar to 前払い, but slightly more colloquial. Often used in casual contexts.
先払いでいいですか？
Is it okay if I pay in advance?
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'to pay beforehand'. Useful when you need to be explicit.
事前に支払う必要があります。
You need to pay in advance.
Specifically for paying rent or a deposit before moving in, or for prepaying rent for several months.
Refers to paying rent in advance, typically for the upcoming month. Common in rental agreements.
前家賃を支払ってください。
Please pay the rent in advance.
A security deposit paid in advance when renting an apartment. Not exactly 'payment in advance' for services, but a related concept.
敷金は前払いです。
The security deposit is paid in advance.
When a seller requires full or partial payment before shipping goods, often in business or online transactions.
Literally 'front money', used for advance payment in business transactions, especially for orders or services.
前金でお支払いください。
Please pay in advance.
前金として半額いただきます。
We'll take half as an advance payment.
A partial payment made in advance, often as a deposit. Common in contracts.
For payment methods where you charge money in advance, like prepaid cards or mobile payments.
Loanword from English 'prepaid'. Used for prepaid cards, phones, etc.
プリペイドカードを買いました。
I bought a prepaid card.
A more formal term meaning 'prepaid type', often used in legal or technical contexts.
前払い式の電子マネーです。
It's a prepaid electronic money.
Both mean 'payment in advance', but 前払い is more standard and widely used. 先払い is slightly more casual and often used in spoken Japanese. In formal writing, stick to 前払い.
The phrase 'payment in advance' should not be translated word-for-word as 前の支払い or 進歩の支払い. These are unnatural. Use the set terms above.
内金をお支払いいただけますか？
Could you pay a deposit?