Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Payment" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "payment", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
払い
はらい (harai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
納入
のうにゅう (nōnyū)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "payment" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 払い and 納入.
In Japanese, 払い (はらい (harai)) is typically associated with "payment, sweep, brush" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 「払う」の名詞形。支払い行為そのものや、支払い方法を指すことが多いです。「支払い」という形で使われることも多いですが、単独で「払い」も使われます。.
On the other hand, 納入 (のうにゅう (nōnyū)) maps to "payment, delivery (of goods/services)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to the act of paying money. A literal translation of "payment" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "払い"
今月の家賃の払いはまだ済んでいません。
This month's rent payment has not been completed yet.
Bilingual Context for "納入"
商品の納入は来週の予定です。
The delivery of the goods is scheduled for next week.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今月の家賃の ＿＿＿ はまだ済んでいません。" (Meaning: "This month's rent payment has not been completed yet.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "払い" fits here because it means "payment, sweep, brush" in the context of: "This month's rent payment has not been completed yet.". "納入" represents "payment, delivery (of goods/services)".