Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Allowance" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "allowance", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
仕送り
しおくり (shiokuri)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
手当
てあて (teate)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "allowance" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 仕送り and 手当.
In Japanese, 仕送り (しおくり (shiokuri)) is typically associated with "allowance (money sent to support someone)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 親元を離れて暮らす家族（学生や単身赴任者など）に対して、生活費として定期的に送られるお金のことです。.
On the other hand, 手当 (てあて (teate)) maps to "allowance, compensation; medical treatment, care" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to various types of allowances. A literal translation of "allowance" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "仕送り"
息子は大学に入学してから、毎月親から仕送りをもらっている。
Since entering university, my son receives an allowance from his parents every month.
Bilingual Context for "手当"
会社から住宅手当が支給される。
The company provides a housing allowance.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "息子は大学に入学してから、毎月親から ＿＿＿ をもらっている。" (Meaning: "Since entering university, my son receives an allowance from his parents every month.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "仕送り" fits here because it means "allowance (money sent to support someone)" in the context of: "Since entering university, my son receives an allowance from his parents every month.". "手当" represents "allowance, compensation; medical treatment, care".