Translation guide
The English word "tax" refers to a mandatory financial charge imposed by a government. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 税金 (ぜいきん), but the specific term depends on the type of tax and context.
Referring to taxes in general, the concept of taxation, or an unspecified tax.
The most common and general word for 'tax'. Used in everyday conversation about paying taxes, tax rates, etc.
A more formal or written term, often used in compounds (e.g., 所得税, 消費税). Can also be used alone in official contexts.
税の負担が増える。
The tax burden increases.
Naming a particular tax, such as income tax, consumption tax, etc.
Metaphorical use, e.g., 'a tax on one's health' or 'mental tax'.
Means 'burden' and is often used metaphorically where English might use 'tax'.
その仕事は精神的な負担が大きい。
That job is a big mental tax.
To put a burden/tax on something.
長時間労働は健康に負担をかける。
Long working hours tax your health.
The action of imposing a tax on something.
To tax, to impose a tax. Formal verb.
政府は新しいサービスに課税する予定だ。
The government plans to tax new services.
To levy a tax (more colloquial).
輸入品に高い税金をかける。
To tax imports heavily.
税金 is the everyday word for 'tax'. 税 is more formal and often appears in compound words (e.g., 所得税, 消費税). When speaking casually, 税金 is preferred.
To pay tax is 税金を払う (ぜいきんをはらう). To file a tax return is 確定申告をする (かくていしんこくをする). To impose a tax is 課税する (かぜいする) or 税金をかける (ぜいきんをかける).
今年は税金をたくさん払わなければならない。
I have to pay a lot of tax this year.
日本の消費税は10%です。
The consumption tax in Japan is 10%.
消費税が10%になった。
The consumption tax became 10%.
住民税は前年の所得に基づいて計算される。
Resident tax is calculated based on the previous year's income.
The corporate tax rate was lowered.
相続税の申告期限は10ヶ月以内です。
The deadline for filing inheritance tax is within 10 months.