Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 料金 | ryōkin | [ɾʲo̞ːkʲĩɴ] (narrow) |
| チャージ | chāji | [t͡ɕa̠ːʑi] (narrow) |
The term 料金 is used to denote a monetary fee or the cost of a service. In other contexts, the Japanese language uses different words for related English meanings: 告発する is used to formally accuse someone of a crime and 突撃する is used in a military context to mean attacking by moving forward quickly.
Which one should you use?
While 料金 refers to a monetary fee, the loanword チャージ is used specifically for the act of topping up a balance on a prepaid card or electronic money.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb かかる is commonly used with 料金 to express that a charge is incurred or that a fee is required, forming the phrase 料金がかかる.
How do you pronounce it?
ryōkin
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the loanword チャージ to mean a service fee. However, in Japanese, this term almost exclusively refers to topping up a balance or charging a battery.
Did you know?
- In Japanese bars and izakayas, a チャージ is often a mandatory 'table charge' or seating fee added to the bill regardless of what you order.
- The word 料金 is composed of two kanji: 料, meaning 'material' or 'fee', and 金, meaning 'gold' or 'money'.
- Japanese distinguishes between a 'fee' 料金 and a 'fare' for transport, which is often called 運賃.
Examples in context
- 追加料金はいくらだった？How much was the additional charge?This sentence is useful for asking about the amount of an additional 料金.Tatoeba #10802272 by bunbuku, translation #21240 by CK
- 飲み物は、別料金ですか？Do you charge separately for drinks?This sentence is useful for asking if drinks have a separate 料金.Tatoeba #11548114 by small_snow, translation #36890 by CM
- それには追加料金がかかるんでしょうか。Will there be an extra charge for that?This sentence is useful for asking if an extra 料金 will be required for something.Tatoeba #205651 by bunbuku, translation #42896 by CK
- お会計お願いします！Check, please!
- お会計の合計はいくらですか？What is the total amount for the bill?
- 別々にお願いします。Separate checks, please.
- クレジットカードで払います。I'll pay with a credit card.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are checking into a hotel.
- 陽太 Yotaこのホテルの駐車料金はいくらですか？Kono hoteru no chūsha ryōkin wa ikura desu ka?How much is the parking charge for this hotel?
- 結衣 Yui宿泊者は料金が無料になります。Shukuhaku-sha wa ryōkin ga muryō ni narimasu.The charge is free for guests.
- 陽太 Yotaそれは助かります。ありがとうございます。Sore wa tasukarimasu. Arigatō gozaimasu.That helps. Thank you very much.
- 結衣 Yuiどういたしまして、陽太さん。Dōitashimashite, Yōta-san.You're welcome, Yota.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “charge” translations and entries 料金, チャージ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
