費用 — meaning in English: cost

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Guess the translation for expense

レシピ

reshipi

費用

hiyou

認識

ninshiki

ストリート

sutorīto

パッセージ

passeji

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers commonly use the word '費用' (hiyou) when discussing budgets, expenses, or financial matters. For instance, you might hear it in a business meeting when evaluating project costs or in a conversation about travel expenses when planning a trip.

Synonyms & nuances

'費用' is often used in general contexts, while 'コスト' (kosuto) is a loanword from English and can sometimes sound less formal. You would typically choose '費用' when discussing official or detailed financial matters, while 'コスト' might be more casual or used in marketing contexts.

Culture

The kanji for '費用' combines '費' (hiyou) meaning 'expenditure' and '用' (you) meaning 'use' or 'purpose'. This highlights the Japanese culture's pragmatic approach to budgeting and resources, emphasizing the necessity to evaluate costs for effective planning. In Japan, discussing '費用' is not just a financial matter but often involves community considerations, as group spending is culturally significant.

FAQ

Q.What is the difference between '費用' and '料金'?

'料金' (ryoukin) refers specifically to charges or fees for services, such as transportation or entrance fees. In contrast, '費用' encompasses broader costs, including materials and overall project expenses.

Q.How do I use '費用' in a sentence?

You can use '費用' in sentences like '旅行の費用は高いです' (The travel costs are high) to indicate expenses clearly in everyday conversation.

Q.Is '費用' used in both written and spoken Japanese?

'費用' is commonly used in both written and spoken contexts, making it versatile. However, formal documents may lean more towards its use compared to informal chats, where you might encounter synonyms.

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