Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pay" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pay", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
払う
はらう (harau)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
払い込む
はらいこむ (haraikomu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pay" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 払う and 払い込む.
In Japanese, 払う (はらう (harau)) is typically associated with "to pay, to sweep away, to clear away" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Has two main uses: 1. To pay money.
On the other hand, 払い込む (はらいこむ (haraikomu)) maps to "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.. A literal translation of "pay" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "払う"
レストランで食事の代金を払いました。
I paid for the meal at the restaurant.
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.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "レストランで食事の代金を払いました。" (Meaning: "I paid for the meal at the restaurant.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "払う" fits here because it means "to pay, to sweep away, to clear away" in the context of: "I paid for the meal at the restaurant.". "払い込む" represents "to pay in, to deposit, to make a payment".