Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "払う", "支払う", "払い込む", "立て替える"
All represent the core concept "pay", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
払う
はらう (harau)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
支払う
しはらう (shiharau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
払い込む
はらいこむ (haraikomu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
立て替える
たてかえる (tatekaeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "pay" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "払う", "支払う", "払い込む", "立て替える" based on context.
- 払う (はらう (harau) - Level: N4): Maps to "to pay, to sweep away, to clear away" and is used when Has two main uses: 1. To pay money.
- 支払う (しはらう (shiharau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to pay" and is used when General term for paying money for goods, services, or debts. Can be used for various payment methods..
- 払い込む (はらいこむ (haraikomu) - Level: N3): Maps to "to pay in, to deposit, to make a payment" and is used when 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..
- 立て替える (たてかえる (tatekaeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to pay on behalf of someone; to pay provisionally; to advance money" and is used when This verb is used when someone pays money for something.
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.
Context for "支払う"
食事代は私が支払います。
I will pay for the meal.
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.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "to pay, to sweep away, to clear away" in the context: "I paid for the meal at the restaurant.".