払う

• Reading: はらう
• Romaji: harau
• Kanji breakdown: 払 (futsu/hara) — to pay, to sweep
• Pronunciation: /ha.ɾa.ɯ/

Meaning

To pay (money, a bill). The standard verb for monetary payments.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with a う stem. Primarily used for paying bills, fees, and prices. を marks the payment or amount. Originally also meant 'to sweep away' or 'to brush off,' and this older meaning still appears in expressions like 注意を払う (to pay attention).

Examples

1. レストランでお金を払いました。 I paid at the restaurant.
2. 家賃は毎月払わなければなりません。 You have to pay rent every month.
3. カードで払ってもいいですか。 Is it okay to pay by card?

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, restaurants, bills

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 払 combines 扌 (hand radical) and 厶 (private), originally meaning to sweep or brush away with the hand. The meaning extended to settling debts — sweeping them away.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal