Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pay" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pay", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
支払う
しはらう (shiharau)
N3 / 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 支払う and 払い込む.
In Japanese, 支払う (しはらう (shiharau)) is typically associated with "to pay" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents General term for paying money for goods, services, or debts. Can be used for various payment methods..
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 "支払う"
食事代は私が支払います。
I will pay for the meal.
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: "食事代は私が支払います。" (Meaning: "I will pay for the meal.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "支払う" fits here because it means "to pay" in the context of: "I will pay for the meal.". "払い込む" represents "to pay in, to deposit, to make a payment".