給料

• Reading: きゅうりょう
• Romaji: kyuuryou
• Kanji breakdown: 給 (kyuu) — supply, provide; 料 (ryou) — fee, charge, materials
• Pronunciation: /kʲɯː.ɾʲoː/

Meaning

Salary; wages; pay. The money received for work, typically on a monthly basis.

A noun referring to regular compensation for work. In Japan, salaries are most commonly paid monthly. 給料日 (kyuuryoubi) is payday, often the 25th of each month. More casual than 報酬 (houshu, remuneration) and less formal than 給与 (kyuuyo, compensation).

Examples

1. 今月の給料が入りました。 This month's salary came in.
2. もっと給料が高い仕事を探しています。 I'm looking for a job with higher pay.
3. 給料日まであと三日です。 There are three more days until payday.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, daily life, financial planning

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 給 (kyuu, supply/provide) and 料 (ryou, fee/materials). Originally meant provisions supplied to workers, later narrowing to monetary wages.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Working class