経費

• Reading: けいひ
• Romaji: keihi
• Kanji breakdown: 経 (kei) — to pass through, to manage; 費 (hi) — expense, to spend
• Pronunciation: /keː.çi/

Meaning

Expenses; expenditure; business costs. Money spent in the operation of a business or organization.

A noun specifically referring to operational or business expenses. 経費 is more formal and business-oriented than 費用, often used in accounting and corporate contexts. Common expressions include 経費で落とす (to claim as a business expense) and 経費削減 (cost reduction).

Examples

1. 出張の経費は会社が負担してくれる。 The company covers business trip expenses.
2. 経費を削減するために会議を減らした。 We reduced the number of meetings to cut expenses.
3. この食事は経費で落とせますか。 Can this meal be claimed as a business expense?

Usage Guide

Context: business, accounting, corporate

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 経 (to pass through, manage) and 費 (expense, to spend). The combination emphasizes expenses incurred through the management of operations.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional