実費

• Reading: じっぴ
• Romaji: jippi
• Kanji breakdown: 実 (jitsu) — reality, actual; 費 (hi) — expense, cost
• Pronunciation: /dʑip.pi/

Meaning

Actual cost; out-of-pocket expenses. The real amount spent, without markup or subsidy.

A noun used in business, administrative, and everyday contexts to indicate that the exact cost incurred will be charged, with no profit margin added. Common in the pattern 実費で (jippi de, at cost) and 実費負担 (jippi futan, bearing the actual expenses). Often seen in workplace reimbursement policies, medical billing, and service agreements. Note the reading uses consonant gemination: じっぴ (jippi), not じつひ.

Examples

1. 出張の交通費は実費で精算してください。 Please settle your business trip transportation costs at actual cost.
2. 材料は実費負担でお願いしています。 We ask that you bear the actual cost of materials.
3. 修理にかかった実費を請求書に記載した。 I listed the actual cost of repairs on the invoice.

Usage Guide

Context: business, administration, medical

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 実 (jitsu, actual/real) + 費 (hi, expense/cost). Literally 'actual expenses' — the real cost of something without added charges or subsidies.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal