Translation guide
How to express the concept of a 'use-by date' in Japanese, covering food expiration labels, general deadlines, and related terms.
The date printed on food packaging indicating when it should be consumed by for safety or quality.
A date by which something must be used, submitted, or completed, not necessarily food.
How to ask what the use-by date is or say when it is.
Standard way to ask for the use-by date of a perishable food item.
この牛乳の消費期限はいつですか？
When is the use-by date on this milk?
消費期限 (shouhi kigen) is a safety limit for highly perishable foods. 賞味期限 (shoumi kigen) is a quality guideline for foods with longer shelf lives. Mixing them up can cause confusion or waste.
生魚は消費期限を過ぎたら危険です。
Raw fish is dangerous after its use-by date.
スナック菓子は賞味期限が過ぎても食べられます。
Snack foods can be eaten even after the best-before date.
使用期限 (shiyou kigen) is for non-food items. Using it for food sounds unnatural. Stick to 消費期限 or 賞味期限 for food.
Refers specifically to the 'use-by date' for perishable foods that spoil quickly (e.g., meat, fish, bento). After this date, the food may be unsafe to eat.
この肉の消費期限は明日です。
The use-by date for this meat is tomorrow.
消費期限が切れた食品は食べないでください。
Please do not eat food past its use-by date.
Refers to the 'best-before date' for foods that last longer (e.g., snacks, canned goods). The food is still safe to eat after this date, but quality may decline.
この缶詰の賞味期限は来年です。
The best-before date on this can is next year.
賞味期限が過ぎても、すぐに食べれば大丈夫なことが多いです。
Even if the best-before date has passed, it's often okay to eat if you do so soon.
A general term for 'deadline' or 'expiration date'. Often used in compounds or when the context is clear. Less specific than 消費期限 or 賞味期限.
この商品の期限はいつですか？
When is the expiration date on this product?
Used for non-food items like coupons, tickets, medicine, or cosmetics. Means 'expiration date' or 'use-by date'.
このクーポンの使用期限は今月末です。
This coupon's expiration date is the end of this month.
薬の使用期限を確認してください。
Please check the expiration date of the medicine.
Often used for official documents, licenses, passports, or credit cards. Means 'expiration date' or 'valid until'.
パスポートの有効期限が切れています。
Your passport has expired.
General term for deadline, can be used in many contexts.
申し込みの期限は明日です。
The deadline for applications is tomorrow.
Standard way to ask for the best-before date of a longer-lasting food item.
このお菓子の賞味期限はいつですか？
When is the best-before date on these snacks?
Means 'Please use by ~'. A natural way to tell someone the deadline for using something.
このチケットは来月までに使ってください。
Please use this ticket by next month.