Translation guide
How to talk about spending money in Japanese, from everyday purchases to managing expenses.
To express the act of spending money on something.
The most common and neutral way to say 'spend money'. Literally 'use money'.
毎月、食費にたくさんお金を使います。
I spend a lot of money on food every month.
Please don't waste money.
A formal term for 'expend' or 'spend', often used in accounting or official contexts.
会社は研究開発に多額の資金を支出した。
The company spent a large amount of money on research and development.
To spend (money, time, effort), often with a nuance of using up or consuming. More literary.
彼は全財産を旅行に費やした。
He spent his entire fortune on travel.
To refer to money for personal spending, especially given regularly.
Pocket money or allowance, typically given by parents or a spouse for personal expenses.
子供に毎月小遣いをあげています。
I give my child an allowance every month.
小遣いが足りなくて、映画に行けなかった。
I didn't have enough spending money to go to the movies.
Polite form of 小遣い, often used when referring to someone else's allowance or in polite conversation.
To refer to the money itself that is available for spending.
Literally 'money to spend', a straightforward way to refer to spending money.
旅行のための使うお金を貯めています。
I'm saving spending money for the trip.
Money for fun or entertainment, often used casually. Can sound a bit rough.
週末に遊ぶ金が欲しい。
I want some spending money for the weekend.
To talk about how one spends money or the amount spent.
Expenses or expenditure; often used when discussing spending amounts or cutting costs.
今月は出費が多かった。
I had a lot of expenses this month.
出費を抑える必要がある。
We need to cut down on spending.
Consumption or spending, often used in economic contexts.
お金を使う is the everyday phrase for spending money. 支出する is formal and used in business or accounting contexts.
趣味にお金を使うのは楽しい。
Spending money on hobbies is fun.
会社の支出を記録する。
Record the company's expenditures.
The English phrase 'spending money' as a noun (e.g., 'I need some spending money') doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Use 小遣い for pocket money, or 使うお金 for money to spend.
出費を抑えないといけません。
I need to control my spending.
彼女は服にお金を使いすぎます。
She spends too much money on clothes.
お小遣いをいくらもらっていますか？
How much allowance do you get?
Consumer spending supports the economy.