給料
kyūryō[kʲɨːɾʲo̞ː]
The English word 'salary' can be translated into Japanese as 給料 (kyūryō). If unsure, use 給料. Wiktionary also lists サラリー (sararī).
Meaning: fixed amount of money paid on monthly or annual basis (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 給料 | kyūryō | [kʲɨːɾʲo̞ː] (narrow) |
| サラリー | sararī |
The term refers to a fixed amount of money paid on a monthly or annual basis. To refer to a payday, use the compound noun 給料日 (kyūryōbi).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 給料 is composed of two parts: 給 meaning to give or supply, and 料 meaning a fee, charge or material.
Which one should you use?
給料 (kyūryō) refers to a fixed salary or regular pay. This is distinct from 時給 (jikyū), which refers specifically to an hourly wage.
How do you pronounce it?
kyūryō
Did you know?
- While 'salary' is the English root for サラリー, the Japanese term サラリーマン (sararīman) is used as a common noun to describe a white-collar office worker in general.
- In Japanese business culture, discussing the exact amount of one's 給料 is often considered a major social faux pas and a breach of etiquette.
- Japanese employees often receive a ボーナス (bonus) twice a year, which is historically treated as a semi-mandatory part of the annual salary rather than a performance-based reward.
Examples in context
- 給料はいくら？What is your salary?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's salary using 給料.Tatoeba #11878994 by small_snow, translation #6368399 by ddnktr
- 私の給料は３０万円だ。My salary is 300,000 yen.This sentence is useful for stating a specific salary amount using 給料.Tatoeba #163857 by bunbuku, translation #2950861 by CK
- 今月は給料が多かった。My salary was high this month.This sentence is useful for describing a salary that was high this month using 給料.Tatoeba #172450 by tommy_san, translation #242025 by WestofEden
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about work at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui給料日はいつですか？kyuuryoubi wa itsu desu ka?When is the payday for the salary?
- 健太 Kenta毎月二十五日です。maitsuki nijuugo nichi desu.It is the 25th of every month.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは、給料が上がりましたか？Kenta-san wa, kyuuryou ga agarimashita ka?Kenta, did your salary go up?
- 健太 Kentaはい、少し上がりました。hai, sukoshi agarimashita.Yes, it went up a little.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salary” translations and entries 給料, サラリー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
