Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Income" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "income", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
収入
しゅうにゅう (shūnyū)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
収支
しゅうし (shūshi)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "income" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 収入 and 収支.
In Japanese, 収入 (しゅうにゅう (shūnyū)) is typically associated with "income; revenue; earnings" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to salary, revenue, or income from work or investment. Often used as 臨時収入 or 収入源. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Income! "My biggest income is Haruka-san's sweet smiles!" ...っ! T-To call my smile an income! B-But since your smile is also my precious emotional revenue, I command you to keep smiling for me for life!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『しゅうにゅう（収入）よ！『僕にとっての最大の収入は、毎日見られるハルカさんの可愛い笑顔です！』って…っ！私の笑顔を収入だなんて！…でも、あんたの笑顔も私にとって大切な心のエネルギー収入なんだからね！』.
On the other hand, 収支 (しゅうし (shūshi)) maps to "income and expenditure, balance of payments" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to the balance between money coming in. A literal translation of "income" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "収入"
彼は毎月の本業の給与に加えて、趣味で始めたブログの広告収入など、複数の_______源を確保することに成功しました。
In addition to his monthly salary from his main business, he succeeded in securing multiple sources of income, such as advertising revenue from a blog he started as a hobby.
Bilingual Context for "収支"
今月の家計の収支は赤字だった。
This month's household income and expenditure were in the red (deficit).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は毎月の本業の給与に加えて、趣味で始めたブログの広告 ＿＿＿ など、複数の_______源を確保することに成功しました。" (Meaning: "In addition to his monthly salary from his main business, he succeeded in securing multiple sources of income, such as advertising revenue from a blog he started as a hobby.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "収入" fits here because it means "income; revenue; earnings" in the context of: "In addition to his monthly salary from his main business, he succeeded in securing multiple sources of income, such as advertising revenue from a blog he started as a hobby.". "収支" represents "income and expenditure, balance of payments".