歩合

• Reading: ぶあい
• Romaji: buai
• Kanji breakdown: 歩 (ho/bu/fu) — step; traditional rate unit; 合 (gō/a) — combine, match
• Pronunciation: /bɯ.a.i/

Meaning

Commission; percentage-based payment; proportional rate or share. Most commonly refers to a sales commission tied to performance.

Originally a traditional unit of proportional measure (歩/bu = one-tenth of 割/wari), 歩合 now primarily means a commission or performance-based payment. 歩合制 (commission-based pay structure) ties income to sales volume and is common in insurance, real estate, and direct sales. Also used for interest rates, agent fees, or any proportional share in a transaction.

Examples

1. 営業職員の給与は基本給と歩合で構成されている。 Sales staff remuneration is made up of a base salary and commission.
2. 歩合制の仕事は成果次第で収入が大きく変わる。 Income in a commission-based role varies greatly depending on results.
3. 代理店に支払う歩合を見直すことで経費削減を図る。 The company aims to cut costs by reviewing the commission paid to agents.

Usage Guide

Context: sales, HR, compensation, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 歩 (bu; a traditional unit equal to one-tenth of 割, used in pre-modern Japanese measurement) combined with 合 (to combine, match). The compound evolved to mean a proportional rate or share.

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern to Modern

Generation: Business professionals

Social background: Corporate/Sales