QRコード

• 読み: キューアールコード
• ローマ字: kyuuaaru koodo
• 発音: /kju.a.ru.ko.o.do/

意味

QR code — the square barcode used for payments, links, menus, and more.

QRコード (pronounced キューアールコード) is a ubiquitous part of Japanese daily life. Originally developed by the Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994, QR codes are used extensively for cashless payment (PayPay, LINE Pay), restaurant menus, event check-ins, business cards, and marketing campaigns. While technically a trademarked product name, it is used generically in everyday speech. The phrase 「QR読んで」 (scan the QR) is heard constantly in shops and restaurants.

例文

1. レジでQRコード出したら一瞬で払えた。
2. このお店、メニューQRコードしかなくて不便だった。
3. QRコードを読み込んだらクーポンがもらえるよ。

使い方ガイド

場面: shopping, restaurants, events, everyday conversation

トーン: practical, neutral

正しい言い方

• QRコード読んでもらえますか？ (Could you scan the QR code for me?)
• PayPayのQRコード出してください。 (Please show your PayPay QR code.)

避ける言い方

• 「QR」だけでは通じないことがある — 「QRコード」と言ったほうが確実 (Saying just 'QR' may not always be understood — say the full QRコード to be safe)

よくある間違い

• Reading QR as 'kyu-aru' instead of the standard 'kyuu-aaru' (キューアール)
• Assuming all QR codes work the same way — some require a specific app to scan

起源と歴史

QR code was invented by Denso Wave (a Toyota subsidiary) in 1994 in Japan. The term 'QR' stands for Quick Response. Japan was among the first countries to adopt QR codes widely for consumer use, and they became mainstream in the 2000s, long before their global rise in the 2020s.

文化的背景

時代: 1994 invention, mainstream 2000s onwards

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. Japan was a pioneer in QR code adoption and cashless QR payment is now standard in most shops and restaurants.