払う
harau[ha̠ɾa̠ɯ̟]
To pay in Japanese is 払う. If unsure, use 払う (harau). Wiktionary also lists 支払う (shiharau).
Meaning: to give money in exchange for goods or services (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 払う | harau | [ha̠ɾa̠ɯ̟] (narrow) [ha̠ɾo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 支払う | shiharau | [ɕiha̠ɾa̠ɯ̟] (narrow) |
The phrase is used to describe the act of giving money in exchange for goods or services.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean to pay, 支払う is more formal and is typically used in business, official transactions or when referring to paying bills and debts. In contrast, 払う is the plain form used in everyday conversations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plain negative form of 払う is 払わない, which means to not pay.
How do you pronounce it?
harau
Did you know?
- In Shinto rituals, priests use a tool called a haraegushi to perform harai, an act of purifying or sweeping away evil spirits using the same root as 払う.
- If you want to say you will treat someone, you do not use 払う but instead use the phrase ご馳走する.
- The verb 払う shares its character with the word for 'to wave' or 'to shake', implying a physical motion of moving something away.
Examples in context
- 私が払う番？Is it my turn to pay?This sentence is useful for asking if it is your turn to use the form 払う.Tatoeba #10654883 by small_snow, translation #3411015 by CK
- 親が払うよ。My parents will pay for it.This sentence is useful for stating that parents will use the form 払う.Tatoeba #11241514 by small_snow, translation #3295223 by Hybrid
- 君が払う番だよ。It's your turn to pay.This sentence is useful for stating that it is someone else's turn to use the form 払う.Tatoeba #8733011 by small_snow, translation #6532167 by CK
- 昨日の食事代、僕が払うよ。I'll pay for yesterday's meal.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a coffee shop, Kenta and Himari are finishing their drinks.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵、コーヒー代は僕が払うよ。Himari, koohii dai wa boku ga harau yo.Himari, I'll pay for the coffee.
- 陽葵 Himari本当？ありがとう、健太君。Hontou? Arigatou, Kenta-kun.Really? Thank you, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta次は陽葵が払ってね。Tsugi wa Himari ga haratte ne.You pay next time, okay?
- 陽葵 Himariわかった、約束するね。Wakatta, yakusoku suru ne.Okay, I promise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pay” translations and entries 払う, 支払う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
