請求

§ Similar Words and When to Use 請求 vs. Alternatives

When you're dealing with requests for money in Japanese, 請求 (seikyuu) is a key word to know. However, there are other terms that might seem similar but have slightly different nuances or are used in different contexts. Let's break them down so you know exactly when to use 請求.

DEFINITION

請求 (seikyuu): A request for payment, a bill, or a claim. It's a broad term for asking someone to pay for something.

The most common alternatives or related terms you'll encounter are:

• 会計 (kaikei): This refers to the accounting or the bill itself, especially in a restaurant or shop setting. It's what you ask for when you're ready to pay.

  すみません、会計お願いします。
  (Excuse me, the bill please.)

• 勘定 (kanjou): Similar to 会計, 勘定 also means a bill or account, often used in a slightly more formal or traditional context than 会計, but still common in restaurants or for calculating costs.

  お勘定はこちらです。
  (Your bill is here.)

• 料金 (ryoukin): This word means a fee, charge, or fare. It refers to the amount of money you need to pay for a service or product, but not necessarily the request for it. Think of it as the price tag.

  入場料金は1000円です。
  (The entrance fee is 1000 yen.)

• 代金 (daikin): This specifically means the price of goods. It's the money you pay for an item you purchase.

  その商品の代金はいくらですか？
  (How much is the price for that product? / What is the cost of that item?)

• 費用 (hiyou): This is a general term for expense or cost. It's often used when talking about money spent or required for a particular activity or project.

  旅行の費用を計算します。
  (I will calculate the travel expenses.)

So, when should you use 請求 (seikyuu)?

• Use 請求 when you are actively requesting payment or referring to the document that formally asks for payment (請求書 - seikyuusho, an invoice or bill). This is very common in business contexts, for utilities, or when a service provider sends you a bill.

  電気代の請求が来た。
  (The electricity bill arrived.)

• It's also used for broader 'claims' beyond just money, like a claim for damages (損害賠償請求 - songai baishou seikyuu).

  彼は会社に損害賠償を請求した。
  (He claimed damages from the company.)

In summary, while there's some overlap, choose 請求 when you're talking about a formal request for payment or a bill/invoice. For a restaurant bill, 会計 or 勘定 are more natural. For just the price of something, 料金 or 代金 fit better. And for general expenses, 費用 is your word.