手数料
tesūryō[te̞sɨːɾʲo̞ː]
In Japanese, the English phrase 'commission' (referring to a fee) is translated as 手数料 (tesūryō).
The noun 手数料 is used to describe administrative fees, transaction fees or service charges, such as those applied to bank transfers or brokerage services. While it refers to the fee itself, the related verb 依頼する means to order a work of art and 委任する means to send someone to do something.
Meaning: fee charged (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 手数料 literally means a fee for handling or processing. It is composed of 手 (hand), 数 (number/count) and 料 (fee/charge).
Which one should you use?
手数料 specifically refers to a processing or transaction fee. In contrast, 報酬 is used when referring to the actual remuneration or reward given to a person for performing a task or service.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that a commission or fee is being charged or incurred, use the verb かかる with the noun, as in 手数料がかかる.
How do you pronounce it?
tesūryō
Did you know?
- Using 手数料 when discussing a professional's salary can be offensive. It may imply that the professional's skilled labor is nothing more than a mindless administrative task.
- The term 手数料 is formed by combining 手数, which refers to 'trouble' or the 'number of steps' in a process, with 料, meaning 'fee'.
- While 手数料 describes the fee, the verb かかる used with it can also mean 'to take time', treating the fee like a weight or a burden.
Examples in context
- 手数料はいくらですか。How much is the commission?This sentence is useful for asking how much the 手数料 is.Tatoeba #148530 by tommy_san, translation #266029 by CM
- 私はアーティストに絵をオーダーしました。I commissioned an artist to paint a picture.
- 弊社は外部の専門家に調査を委託しました。Our company commissioned an external specialist for the investigation.
- 絵を描いてもらいたいから、友達に頼んだよ。I asked my friend to draw a picture for me.
- 振込手数料がかかります。furikomi tesuuryou ga kakarimasu.A transfer fee is charged.
- この手数料は高すぎます。kono tesuuryou wa takasugimasu.This commission is too high.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are discussing a bank transfer at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui振込には手数料が必要ですか？furikomi ni wa tesuuryou ga hitsuyou desu ka?Is a commission required for the transfer?
- 蓮 Renはい、数百円の手数料がかかります。hai, suuhyakuen no tesuuryou ga kakarimasu.Yes, a fee of a few hundred yen is charged.
- 結衣 Yui手数料は少し高いですね。tesuuryou wa sukoshi takai desu ne.The commission is a bit expensive, isn't it?
- 蓮 Renそうですね、残念です。sou desu ne, zannen desu.That's true, it is a shame.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “commission” translations and entries 手数料, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 手数料, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
