At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Core Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 払う | harau | to pay / to brush away (broad) |
| 支払う | shiharau | to pay money (formal, financial) |
| 現金払い | genkin barai | cash payment |
| カード払い | kaado barai | card payment |
| 分割払い | bunkatsu barai | installment payment |
At a Japanese store checkout, the cashier asks: “お支払いはどのようになさいますか？” (How would you like to pay?) Knowing your payment vocabulary — and understanding the difference between 払う（はらう） and 支払う（しはらう） — will make everyday transactions smooth and natural.
Yukaカードで支払えますか？
Kaado de shiharaemasu ka?
Can I pay by card?
Reiはい、カード払いもできます。
Hai, kaado barai mo dekimasu.
Yes, card payment is also accepted.
払う vs 支払う — What’s the Difference?
Both verbs can mean “to pay,” but they are not interchangeable. Understanding their different ranges of meaning will help you use them correctly.
| Verb | Range | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| 払う | Pay money AND non-money uses (brush, wave away) | Neutral / casual |
| 支払う | Pay money only (financial transactions) | Formal / official |
払う（はらう） is the base verb with a broad meaning. It means “to pay,” but also “to sweep away,” “to brush off,” or “to drive away.” You can 肩の雪を払う (brush the snow off your shoulder) or 邪魔者を払う (drive away someone bothersome). When used for money, it is natural in casual contexts.
支払う（しはらう） is specifically and only about paying money. It is more formal and is used in official contexts — invoices, contracts, bank transactions. 支払い (shiharai) is the noun form you will see on receipts and billing documents.
5 Ways to Use 払う
払う has a surprisingly wide range of uses. Here are five key meanings with examples.
1. お金を払う — to pay money (everyday)
A: 先にお金を払ってから入ってください。
A: Saki ni okane wo haratte kara haitte kudasai.
A: Please pay first before entering.
2. 注意を払う — to pay attention
B: 細かい点に注意を払うことが大切です。
B: Komakai ten ni chuui wo harau koto ga taisetsu desu.
B: It is important to pay attention to the details.
3. 払い戻す / 払い戻し — to refund
C: キャンセルした場合、全額払い戻しされます。
C: Kyanseru shita baai, zengaku haraimodoshi saremasu.
C: If cancelled, a full refund will be issued.
4. 払いのける — to brush off / push away
D: 虫を手で払いのけた。
D: Mushi wo te de harainoketa.
D: I brushed the insect away with my hand.
5. 月払い / 一括払い — monthly payment / lump sum payment
E: 一括払いと分割払い、どちらがお得ですか？
E: Ikkatsu barai to bunkatsu barai, dochira ga otoku desu ka?
E: Between a lump sum and installments, which is more advantageous?
Payment Methods Vocabulary
In Japan, cashless payments have grown enormously. Here is the vocabulary you need at any checkout counter.
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 現金払い | genkin barai | cash payment |
| カード払い | kaado barai | card payment |
| 電子マネー | denshi manee | e-money (IC card, etc.) |
| QRコード払い | QR koodo barai | QR code payment |
| 分割払い | bunkatsu barai | installment payment |
| 一括払い | ikkatsu barai | lump sum / one-time payment |
| 前払い | maebarai | advance payment / prepay |
| 後払い | atobarai | deferred payment / pay later |
| 割り勘 | warikan | splitting the bill |
Yuka今日は割り勘にしましょう！
Kyou wa warikan ni shimashou!
Let’s split the bill today!
Reiいや、今日は私が払います！
Iya, kyou wa watashi ga haraimasu!
No, I’ll pay today!
Quick Quiz
1. Which is more formal — 払う or 支払う?
Answer: 支払う
2. How do you say “to pay attention” using 払う?
Answer: 注意を払う（ちゅういをはらう）
3. What is the Japanese word for “splitting the bill”?
Answer: 割り勘（わりかん）
4. What does 払い戻し mean?
Answer: Refund
5. How do you say “installment payment”?
Answer: 分割払い（ぶんかつばらい）
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