支払い

• Reading: しはらい
• Romaji: shiharai
• Kanji breakdown: 支 (shi) — to support, to branch; 払 (harai) — to pay, to sweep away
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ha.ɾa.i/

Meaning

Payment. The act of paying money owed for goods, services, or debts.

A noun derived from the verb 支払う (to pay). 支払い is used in both formal business contexts and daily life to refer to the act or process of payment. Common expressions include 支払いを済ませる (to complete a payment) and 支払い方法 (payment method). More formal than 払い.

Examples

1. クレジットカードでの支払いは可能ですか。 Is it possible to pay by credit card?
2. 家賃の支払いは毎月二十五日です。 Rent payment is due on the 25th of every month.
3. 支払いが遅れると追加料金がかかります。 If your payment is late, an additional fee will be charged.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, business, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 支 (to support, to branch) and 払 (to pay, to sweep away) with the nominalizing い suffix. Originally meant distributing or dispensing money.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal