請求する

§ Understanding 請求する (Seikyū suru)

The Japanese verb 請求する (せいきゅうする - seikyū suru) means 'to bill,' 'to claim,' or 'to demand payment.' It's a very practical verb you'll encounter in many everyday situations, especially when dealing with finances, services, or even legal matters. It’s a B1 level verb, so it’s essential to get comfortable using it.

Verb Type

Group 3 verb (irregular verb, often called する verb)

Transitivity

Transitive (requires a direct object)

§ Basic Sentence Structure with 請求する

The most common way to use 請求する is to indicate who is claiming what, or from whom. The direct object is what is being claimed or billed.

• [Person/Company] が [Object/Money] を 請求する (Person/Company claims/bills Object/Money)
• [Person/Company] が [Person/Company] に [Object/Money] を 請求する (Person/Company claims/bills Object/Money to Person/Company)

Let's look at some examples to make this clear.

§ Examples in Context

Here are some practical examples of how 請求する is used in everyday Japanese.

Translation Hint

The company billed the customer for the repair cost.

Translation Hint

I plan to claim medical expenses from the insurance company.

Translation Hint

The electricity bill for last month hasn't been claimed/billed yet.

Translation Hint

He demanded compensation.

§ Related Nouns and Phrases

As mentioned, you can use the noun form 請求 (せいきゅう - seikyū) for 'bill' or 'claim'. This often appears in compound words or with other verbs.

• 請求書 (せいきゅうしょ - seikyūsho): Invoice, bill
• 請求額 (せいきゅうがく - seikyūgaku): Billed amount, claimed amount
• 支払いを請求する (しはらいを せいきゅうする - shiharai o seikyū suru): To demand payment

Translation Hint

This month's invoice has arrived.

§ Key Takeaways for 請求する

When using 請求する, remember these points:

• It's a transitive verb, so it needs an object (を particle).
• Use に to indicate the person or entity from whom payment/claim is demanded.
• Its noun form, 請求 (せいきゅう), is very common in business and daily life.
• Pay attention to the active and passive forms to understand who is doing the claiming/billing and who is being claimed/billed.

Practice these examples, and try forming your own sentences. The more you use 請求する, the more natural it will become in your Japanese conversations and writing.

§ Understanding 請求する (To Bill, To Claim, To Demand Payment)

The verb 請求する (せいきゅうする) is a very practical word in Japanese. It means 'to bill,' 'to claim,' or 'to demand payment.' You'll hear this word frequently in business and everyday financial contexts. It's not about making a general request, but specifically about requesting money or a payment for something.

Japanese Word

請求する (せいきゅうする)

Definition

To bill, to claim, to demand payment.

CEFR Level

B1

§ Where You'll Hear This Word: Work, School, News

You'll encounter 請求する in various situations, especially where money changes hands or claims are made. Let's look at some common scenarios.

At Work

In a business setting, this word is essential. You'll hear it when discussing invoices, payments, or claims for expenses.

It's also used when a company demands payment from a customer.

At School or in Daily Life

While less common than in a work context, you might still hear it in situations involving fees or reimbursements.

• When talking about tuition fees:

• If you need to claim for something like a broken item:

In the News

News reports often use 請求する when discussing legal claims, compensation, or governmental billing.

In these contexts, it highlights that a formal request for payment or compensation is being made, often through legal or official channels.

§ Key Takeaways for Using 請求する

Remember these points to use 請求する correctly:

• It's almost always related to money or financial compensation.
• It implies a formal request, not just a casual ask.
• The noun form 請求書 (invoice) is very common in business.

§ Don't Confuse with Asking for Information

A common mistake learners make with 請求する (seikyū suru) is to use it when they simply want to ask for information or request a favor. While 請求する does involve a type of 'request,' it specifically means to demand payment or to formally bill someone. If you just want to ask someone for something non-financial, there are other, more appropriate verbs.

§ Using It for General Requests

Another pitfall is using 請求する for general requests that don't involve money. For example, if you want to request time off work or request a specific song at a karaoke bar, 請求する is not the word you want. It carries a strong implication of a financial claim or a formal demand, often legally binding.

§ Understanding the Nuance of 'Claim'

While 請求する can mean 'to claim,' it's usually in the context of claiming something that is owed to you financially, like an insurance claim or an expense claim. It's not used for making a general statement of ownership or 'claiming' that something is true.

RIGHT WAY

保険金を請求する。(To claim insurance money.)

WRONG WAY

彼は自分が正しいと請求する。(He claims he is right.)

§ Overuse in Polite Contexts

Because 請求する has a direct and sometimes forceful nuance, using it in situations where a more polite or softer approach is needed can sound abrupt or even rude. For example, if you're asking a friend to pay back a small amount of money, using 請求する might be too strong.

• Too Direct: 友達にお金を請求する。(To demand money from a friend.)
• Better: 友達にお金を返してもらう。(To get a friend to pay back money.)
• Even Better: 友達にお金を貸した分を言ってみる。(To mention to a friend about the money lent.)

§ Summary of Key Distinctions

To avoid these common mistakes, remember that 請求する is primarily about formal or semi-formal financial demands. Keep these points in mind:

• Financial: Almost always involves money or something with monetary value.
• Formal/Official: Often used in business, legal, or administrative contexts.
• Demand/Bill: Implies an expectation of payment or fulfillment of a claim.

If your interaction doesn't fit these criteria, it's highly likely that another verb is more appropriate. Always consider the context and the nature of what is being requested or claimed.

§ Understanding 請求する (Seikyuu Suru)

You've learned that 請求する (せいきゅうする - seikyuu suru) means "to bill," "to claim," or "to demand payment." It's a very practical verb in Japanese, especially in business or when dealing with services. But how does it compare to other words that might seem similar? Let's break it down.

§ 請求する vs. 要求する (Youkyuu Suru)

DEFINITION

要求する (ようきゅうする - youkyuu suru) means "to demand," "to request," or "to ask for."

While both 請求する and 要求する involve asking for something, the key difference is the *nature* of what is being asked for. 請求する almost exclusively refers to asking for money, payment, or a bill. 要求する is much broader. You can demand an explanation, better working conditions, or a specific action. It doesn't necessarily involve money.

§ 請求する vs. 頼む (Tanomu)

DEFINITION

頼む (たのむ - tanomu) means "to ask (a favor)," "to request," or "to entrust."

頼む is a much softer and more general way of asking for something. It implies a request or a favor, often with an expectation that the other person might agree. There's no inherent sense of demand or right, especially not concerning payment. You'd use 頼む to ask a friend to help you move, or to request a song from a DJ.

§ When to Use 請求する

You should use 請求する when:

• You are asking for payment (e.g., "Please send me the bill.").
• You are claiming a cost or damages (e.g., "We are claiming the repair costs.").
• You are requesting a document that relates to a charge or payment (e.g., "Requesting a receipt.").
• In formal or business contexts where money is involved.

Here are some common scenarios:

• **料金を請求する (ryoukin o seikyuu suru)**: To charge a fee.
• **代金を請求する (daikin o seikyuu suru)**: To demand payment.
• **損害賠償を請求する (songai baishou o seikyuu suru)**: To claim damages.
• **領収書を請求する (ryoushuusho o seikyuu suru)**: To request a receipt.
• **クレジットカードで請求する (kurejitto kaado de seikyuu suru)**: To charge to a credit card.

Understanding these distinctions will help you sound more natural and precise in your Japanese. While other words might seem similar, 請求する has a very specific financial connotation that's important to remember.