有効期限

• Reading: ゆうこうきげん
• Romaji: yuukoukigen
• Kanji breakdown: 有 (yuu) — have, possess; 効 (kou) — effect, efficacy; 期 (ki) — period, term; 限 (gen) — limit, boundary
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.koː.ki.geɴ/

Meaning

Expiration date; term of validity. The date until which something remains effective or usable.

A noun used for the expiry date on medicine, food, credit cards, coupons, passports, and other items with a limited period of use. In medical contexts, 有効期限 appears on every medicine package. Distinguished from 賞味期限 (shoumi kigen, best-before date for food) and 消費期限 (shouhi kigen, use-by date). A practical, everyday term that N2 learners encounter frequently.

Examples

1. この薬の有効期限は来月までです。 The expiration date on this medicine is next month.
2. クレジットカードの有効期限を確認してください。 Please check the expiration date on your credit card.
3. 有効期限が切れたパスポートでは出国できない。 You can't leave the country with an expired passport.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, shopping, travel, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 有効 (yuukou, effective/valid) + 期限 (kigen, deadline/time limit). Literally 'effective time limit' — the boundary of usefulness.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal