報酬

• Reading: ほうしゅう
• Romaji: houshuu
• Kanji breakdown: 報 (hou) — report, reward, repay; 酬 (shuu) — repay, reward, toast
• Pronunciation: /hoː.ɕɯː/

Meaning

Remuneration; reward; compensation. Payment received for professional services or work performed.

A noun referring to compensation for work, particularly for professional, executive, or freelance services. Distinct from 給料 (salary for regular employees) and 賃金 (wages for labour). Common collocations include 役員報酬 (executive compensation), 成功報酬 (success fee/contingency fee), and 報酬を受け取る (to receive compensation). Carries a more professional or prestigious nuance than other pay-related words.

Examples

1. 弁護士の報酬は案件によって大きく異なる。 Attorney's fees vary widely depending on the case.
2. 役員報酬の引き上げが株主から批判された。 The raise in executive compensation drew criticism from shareholders.
3. フリーランスとして適正な報酬を交渉するのは難しい。 It's hard to negotiate fair compensation as a freelancer.

Usage Guide

Context: business, legal, professional services

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 報 (hou, report/reward/repay) + 酬 (shuu, repay/reward). Both kanji convey the idea of returning something for services rendered — a double emphasis on reciprocal compensation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional