Salary：”kyūryō” Japanese Phrase #289

Yuka

Talking about money and work in Japanese? 給料 is the essential word for salary! Let’s learn everything about it.

What Does 給料 Mean?

給料 (kyuuryou) refers to the salary or wages paid to an employee. It’s the most common everyday word for pay:

• 今月の給料が入った。 — This month’s salary came in.
• 給料が上がった！ — My salary went up!
• 給料日はいつですか？ — When is payday?

Salary-Related Vocabulary

Rei

What’s the difference between 給料 and 月給？

Yuka

They often overlap! 給料 is general (your pay). 月給 specifically emphasizes the monthly basis — used more in formal/HR contexts.

Using 給料 in Sentences

• 給料が低い。 — The salary is low.
• 給料交渉をしたい。 — I want to negotiate my salary.
• 給料から税金が引かれる。 — Taxes are deducted from the salary.
• 給料明細を確認してください。 — Please check your pay stub.

Quick Quiz

How do you ask “When is payday?” in Japanese?

Answer: 給料日はいつですか？

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