固定費

• Reading: こていひ
• Romaji: koteihi
• Kanji breakdown: 固定 (fixed; 固 = solid + 定 = fixed) + 費 (expense, cost) → fixed expenses
• Pronunciation: /ko.te.i.çi/

Meaning

Fixed monthly expenses that stay the same regardless of usage — rent, insurance, subscriptions, and phone bills.

固定費 has become a buzzword in Japanese personal finance culture, especially on YouTube and social media. Financial influencers constantly preach 'まずは固定費を見直そう' (first, review your fixed expenses) as the foundation of money management. Common targets include switching to cheaper mobile plans (格安SIM), canceling unused subscriptions, and renegotiating insurance. Reducing 固定費 is seen as the smartest first step because the savings compound automatically every month.

Examples

1. 固定費見直したら月2万円も浮いてびっくりした。 I reviewed my fixed expenses and was shocked to find I could save ¥20,000 a month.
2. サブスク多すぎて固定費がえらいことになってるの気づいた。 I realized I have way too many subscriptions and my fixed costs have gotten out of hand.
3. 固定費を下げるのが節約の基本ってYouTubeで見て、早速格安SIMに変えた。 I saw on YouTube that cutting fixed expenses is the basics of saving, so I immediately switched to a budget phone plan.

Usage Guide

Context: financial planning, social media, YouTube, daily conversation

Tone: practical, advisory

Do Say

• 固定費の削減が一番効果あるよ。 (Cutting fixed expenses has the biggest impact.)
• 固定費って意外と無駄なもの多いよね。 (There are surprisingly many wasteful things in fixed expenses.)

Don't Say

• 「固定費削れないの？」と生活に余裕がない人に言うのはデリカシーに欠ける (Asking 'Can't you cut your fixed costs?' to someone already struggling financially is insensitive)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing 固定費 with 変動費 — 固定費 are predictable monthly amounts (rent, subscriptions), while 変動費 fluctuate (food, entertainment)

Origin & History

From 固定 (fixed/constant) + 費 (expense/cost). Originally an accounting term, it entered mainstream personal finance vocabulary in the 2010s through financial literacy content on YouTube and blogs.

Cultural Context

Era: Accounting term, mainstream personal finance usage from 2010s

Generation: 20s-40s, financial literacy enthusiasts

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Major personal finance YouTubers like 両学長 (Ryōgakuchō) have popularized 固定費見直し as a core financial strategy.