Yuka給料、賃金、収入 — all three translate to “income” or “pay” in English, but in Japanese each word has a specific meaning. Let's sort them out!
ReiUnderstanding these three words is essential for talking about work and money in Japanese — especially in professional situations where using the wrong word could sound odd.
At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 給料 | きゅうりょう | Salary, pay (monthly) | The monthly wage paid by an employer; most common in everyday speech |
| 賃金 | ちんぎん | Wages | Formal/legal term; often hourly or daily wages; labor law context |
| 収入 | しゅうにゅう | Income (total) | All money coming in — salary + side jobs + investments; broadest term |
給料 (きゅうりょう) — Salary/Monthly Pay
給料 is the most common everyday word for salary or pay. It typically refers to the monthly payment from an employer to an employee. This is the word you'll hear most in daily conversation about work and pay.
- 給料日 (きゅうりょうび) — payday
- 給料が上がる — to get a raise
- 給料をもらう — to receive a salary
- 給料日前 — before payday (implies broke!)
Yuka来月から給料が上がるんだ！
My salary is going up from next month!
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 今月の給料はもう使ってしまった。 | I've already spent this month's pay. |
| 給料日が楽しみだ。 | I'm looking forward to payday. |
| この会社は給料が高い。 | This company pays well. |
賃金 (ちんぎん) — Wages (Formal/Legal)
賃金 is a more formal, legal term used in labor law, official documents, and business/economic contexts. It covers all forms of payment from employer to worker, including hourly wages, daily pay, and piece-rate pay.
- 最低賃金 (さいていちんぎん) — minimum wage
- 賃金交渉 (ちんぎんこうしょう) — wage negotiation
- 賃金格差 (ちんぎんかくさ) — wage disparity
- 賃金引き上げ — wage increase
Rei最低賃金 is a key term in Japanese news and politics. Japan has a national minimum wage (全国一律最低賃金) and regional minimum wages that are regularly debated and updated.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 最低賃金が引き上げられた。 | The minimum wage was raised. |
| 賃金交渉が始まった。 | Wage negotiations have begun. |
| 賃金格差の問題が深刻だ。 | The problem of wage disparity is serious. |
収入 (しゅうにゅう) — Total Income
収入 refers to total income from all sources — salary, freelance work, investments, rent income, side jobs. It's the broadest term and the one used for financial planning, taxes, and official documents.
- 年収 (ねんしゅう) — annual income
- 収入を申告する — to declare income (for taxes)
- 副収入 (ふくしゅうにゅう) — side income
- 収入が安定している — income is stable
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 年収はどのくらいですか？ | What is your annual income? |
| 副収入を得ている。 | I earn side income. |
| 収入と支出のバランスが大切だ。 | It's important to balance income and expenses. |
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 給料 | 賃金 | 収入 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Monthly salary from employer | Formal wages (all types) | All income from all sources |
| Register | Everyday casual/formal | Formal, legal, technical | Neutral — everyday and formal |
| Used for | Monthly paycheck talk | Labor law, economics | Finance, taxes, life planning |
| Example | 給料が上がった | 最低賃金 | 年収500万円 |
Quick Quiz
Choose 給料、賃金、or 収入:
- 確定申告には全ての___を報告しなければならない。→ 収入
- 来月から___が5000円上がる！→ 給料
- 政府は最低___を引き上げる方針だ。→ 賃金
- 彼は___が安定しているから生活が楽そうだ。→ 収入
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