What is the Kanji for "Expense"?
If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Expense", you've come to the right place!
The Japanese Kanji for "Expense" is "費".
This kanji has 2 readings:
Its kunyomi reading is "Tsui".
Its onyomi reading is "Hi".
kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.
If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:
The component "弗" . And The kanji "貝" means "Shellfish" and can be read as "Bai" and "Kai".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "費" mean in japanese?
"費" means "Expense" .
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
交通費: "Transportation cost". The Japanese noun '交通費 (こうつうひ)' refers to the cost or expenses related to transportation. This term is commonly used in contexts such as business trips, commuting, or any situation where transportation costs are incurred and reimbursed. For example: The company will cover my transportation costs「会社が私の交通費を負担します」(かいしゃがわたしのこうつうひをふたんします). Please submit your transportation expenses by the end of the month「月末までに交通費を提出してください」(げつま つまでにこうつうひをていしゅつしてください).
費: "Expense". The Japanese suffix '費 (ひ)' means 'expense' or 'cost'. It is commonly attached to nouns to indicate the cost or expenditure related to that noun. For example, '生活費 (せいかつひ)' means 'living expenses', and '交通費 (こうつうひ)' means 'transportation costs'. This suffix is often used in formal or financial contexts. Example sentences: The company covers transportation costs「会社が交通費を負担する」(かいしゃがこうつうひをふたんする). Living expenses are high in Tokyo「東京では生活費が高い」(とうきょうではせいかつひがたかい).
費用: "Expense" or "Cost". The Japanese noun '費用 (ひよう)' refers to the amount of money required to pay for something, such as a service, product, or activity. It is commonly used in contexts involving financial planning, budgeting, or discussing the price of something. For example: The cost of living is high「生活の費用は高い」(せいかつのひようはたかい). We need to calculate the travel expenses「旅行の費用を計算する必要がある」(りょこうのひようをけいさんするひつようがある). Note that '費用' is often used in formal or business settings, and it can refer to both one-time and recurring expenses.
国費: "National funds". The Japanese noun '国費 (こくひ)' refers to funds or expenses that are provided or managed by the national government. It is often used in contexts related to government budgets, public spending, or financial support provided by the state. For example: The project is funded by national funds「そのプロジェクトは国費で賄われている」(そのプロジェクトはこくひでまかなわれている). The scholarship is supported by national funds「その奨学金は国費で支えられている」(そのしょうがくきんはこくひでささえられている). This term is commonly used in formal or administrative contexts.
食費: "Food expenses". The Japanese noun '食費 (しょくひ)' refers to the cost or expenses related to food. This term is commonly used when discussing household budgets, personal finances, or the cost of living. It encompasses all expenses associated with purchasing food, whether for daily meals, groceries, or dining out. For example: My food expenses are high this month「今月の食費が高い」(こんげつのしょくひがたかい). We need to reduce our food expenses「食費を減らす必要がある」(しょくひをへらすひつようがある). This term is often used in financial planning or when discussing cost-saving measures.
私費: "Private expense". The Japanese noun '私費 (しひ)' means 'private expense.' This word is used to refer to expenses that are paid from one's own pocket or personal resources, rather than being covered by an organization or public funds. It is often used in contexts such as education, medical costs, or business expenses. Example: I paid for the course with my own money 「そのコースは私費で払いました」 (そのコースはしひではらいました). The company does not cover private expenses 「会社は私費を負担しません」 (かいしゃはしひをふたんしません). Note that this word is commonly used in informal or professional contexts.
消費: "Consumption". The Japanese verbal noun '消費 (しょうひ)' means 'consumption'. It refers to the act of using up resources, goods, or services. This term is commonly used in economic contexts to describe the use of goods and services by households, but it can also refer to the consumption of energy, time, or other resources. For example: energy consumption「エネルギー消費」(えねるぎーしょうひ). The consumption of goods has increased「商品の消費が増えた」(しょうひんのしょうひがふえた). It's important to note that '消費' can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as the consumption of time or effort.
学費: "Tuition". The Japanese noun '学費 (がくひ)' refers to the fees or costs associated with education, specifically tuition. It is commonly used when discussing the expenses for attending school, college, or university. For example: I need to pay my tuition「学費を払わなければならない」(がくひをはらわなければならない). The tuition for this university is expensive「この大学の学費は高い」(このだいがくのがくひはたかい). This word is often used in formal or academic contexts and is essential when discussing educational finances.
消費者: "Consumer". The Japanese noun '消費者 (しょうひしゃ)' means 'consumer'. This term refers to an individual or entity that purchases goods or services for personal use rather than for resale or commercial purposes. It is commonly used in economic, business, and marketing contexts. For example: Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious「消費者は環境意識が高まっている」(しょうひしゃはかんきょういしきがたかまっている). The company focuses on consumer needs「その会社は消費者のニーズに焦点を当てている」(そのかいしゃはしょうひしゃのニーズにしょうてんをあてている). The word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
経費: "Expenses". The Japanese noun '経費 (けいひ)' refers to 'expenses' or 'costs', particularly those incurred in the course of business or work-related activities. It is commonly used in professional or financial contexts to describe expenditures necessary for operations, such as office supplies, travel costs, or other operational outlays. For example: The company covers all business expenses「会社はすべての経費を負担します」(かいしゃはすべてのけいひをふたんします). We need to reduce unnecessary expenses「不要な経費を削減する必要があります」(ふようなけいひをさくげんするひつようがあります). This term is often used in accounting or budgeting discussions.
費やす: "Consume" or "Spend". The Japanese verb '費やす (ついやす)' primarily means 'to spend' or 'to consume', often referring to the expenditure of time, money, or resources. It can also imply using something in a way that might be considered wasteful or excessive. For example: He spent a lot of time on that project「彼はそのプロジェクトに多くの時間を費やした」(かれはそのプロジェクトにおおくのじかんをついやした). They consumed all their savings on the trip「彼らは旅行に貯金をすべて費やした」(かれらはりょこうにちょきんをすべてついやした). This verb is commonly used in contexts where the expenditure is significant or noteworthy.
旅費: "Travel expenses". The Japanese noun '旅費 (りょひ)' refers to the costs associated with traveling, such as transportation, accommodation, and meals. It is commonly used in both personal and business contexts. For example: The company will cover my travel expenses「会社が私の旅費を負担します」(かいしゃがわたしのりょひをふたんします). I need to calculate my travel expenses for the trip「旅行の旅費を計算する必要があります」(りょこうのりょひをけいさんするひつようがあります). This term is often used in formal or professional settings, particularly when discussing reimbursement or budgeting for trips.
To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.
But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.
Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.
This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:
The hiragana "ひ" is read as "hi". The hiragana "つ" is read as "tsu". And The hiragana "い" is read as "i".
![[Secondhand] Attack No.1](https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/pictures/s/15/23/NEODAI-251141.jpg)
![[Secondhand] Attack No.1](https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/pictures/s/15/28/NEODAI-251138.jpg)
