Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pay" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pay", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
払い込む
はらいこむ (haraikomu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
立て替える
たてかえる (tatekaeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pay" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 払い込む and 立て替える.
In Japanese, 払い込む (はらいこむ (haraikomu)) is typically associated with "to pay in, to deposit, to make a payment" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A transitive verb meaning to make a payment into an account, for a bill, or for a membership. Often implies paying money into a designated place or system..
On the other hand, 立て替える (たてかえる (tatekaeru)) maps to "to pay on behalf of someone; to pay provisionally; to advance money" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents This verb is used when someone pays money for something. A literal translation of "pay" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "払い込む"
毎月の家賃を銀行に払い込んだ。
I deposited the monthly rent into the bank.
Bilingual Context for "立て替える"
会社が出張費を立て替えてくれた。
The company advanced me the business trip expenses.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎月の家賃を銀行に払い込んだ。" (Meaning: "I deposited the monthly rent into the bank.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "払い込む" fits here because it means "to pay in, to deposit, to make a payment" in the context of: "I deposited the monthly rent into the bank.". "立て替える" represents "to pay on behalf of someone; to pay provisionally; to advance money".