B2 noun #47 よく出る 5分で読める

bonus

A bonus is like a special, extra gift of money.

You get it for doing a good job or for working hard.

It's extra money on top of your normal pay.

Imagine your parents give you extra money for helping a lot around the house. That's like a bonus!

A bonus is like a special, extra gift, usually money, that you get in addition to your normal pay. Imagine you work very well, and your boss gives you extra money at the end of the year – that's a bonus! It's a way to say 'thank you' for doing a good job or to encourage you to keep working hard. So, it's something nice and extra you receive for your efforts.

§ What does it mean and when do people use it?

The word "bonus" is a fascinating and widely used term, especially in professional and financial contexts. At its core, it signifies something extra, something beyond what is regularly expected or required. This additional element often comes in the form of money, credit, or other valuable benefits.

DEFINITION
A bonus is an extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required. It is typically given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive to encourage future effort.
The concept of a bonus is rooted in motivation and recognition. It serves as a tangible way to acknowledge exceptional work, achieving specific targets, or simply contributing significantly to a company's success. Beyond just financial rewards, bonuses can also take the form of extra vacation days, special privileges, or even non-monetary gifts.

People use the term "bonus" in various situations, but it's most commonly associated with employment. Here's a breakdown of some key contexts:

  • Performance Bonuses: This is perhaps the most common type. Employees who meet or exceed their performance goals might receive a bonus as a reward. This encourages high achievement and productivity.
  • Year-End Bonuses: Many companies offer year-end bonuses to all employees as a way to share profits or to show appreciation for their loyalty and hard work throughout the year.
  • Sign-On Bonuses: To attract top talent, companies sometimes offer a sign-on bonus to new hires. This is an incentive to join a particular organization.
  • Referral Bonuses: If an employee successfully refers a candidate who gets hired, they might receive a referral bonus. This incentivizes employees to help recruit.
  • Sales Bonuses/Commissions: In sales-driven roles, bonuses are often tied directly to sales targets. The more sales a person makes, the larger their bonus.
  • Project Completion Bonuses: For specific projects, teams or individuals might receive a bonus upon successful and timely completion.
  • Retail and Loyalty Programs: Beyond employment, consumers might encounter bonuses in loyalty programs, such as extra points or discounts for reaching certain spending thresholds.
  • Unexpected Gains: Informally, "bonus" can also refer to any unexpected positive outcome or extra benefit, even if it's not financially related. For example, finding an extra snack in your lunch could be a 'bonus.'

After a highly successful quarter, all employees received a substantial year-end bonus.

The company offered a generous sign-on bonus to attract experienced engineers.

As a bonus for being a loyal customer, she received an extra 10% off her next purchase.

Understanding the nuances of "bonus" is important for both employees and employers. For employees, it represents an opportunity for increased earnings and recognition. For employers, it's a powerful tool for motivation, retention, and fostering a high-performance culture. It's a word that generally carries positive connotations, signifying reward, extra value, and appreciation.

§ How to use 'bonus' in a sentence

The word 'bonus' is a noun and can be used in several ways, often referring to an extra payment or benefit. Understanding its typical grammatical constructions and associated prepositions is key to using it effectively.

§ As a standalone noun, or with 'a' or 'the'

When referring to an unspecified extra payment or benefit, you can use 'a bonus'. If you are talking about a specific bonus that has already been mentioned or is understood in context, use 'the bonus'.

The company announced that all employees would receive a bonus at the end of the year.

After working extra hours, he felt he deserved a bonus for his dedication.

The annual bonus significantly boosted their savings.

§ Prepositions commonly used with 'bonus'

Several prepositions are frequently used with 'bonus', each subtly altering the meaning or context. Here are some of the most common ones:
  • Bonus for: This is used to indicate the reason or performance for which the bonus is given.

The sales team received a substantial bonus for exceeding their quarterly targets.

There's a bonus for early registration to the conference.

  • Bonus of: This preposition is used to specify the amount or type of the bonus.

Each employee received a bonus of $500 for their hard work.

The loyalty program offers a bonus of free flights after a certain number of miles.

  • Bonus to: This indicates the recipient of the bonus.

The company provided a generous bonus to its top performers.

It was a welcome bonus to my income this month.

  • Bonus on: Less common, but can be used to specify what the bonus is based on, such as a percentage.

Sales representatives earn a bonus on every product they sell above their quota.

§ 'Bonus' in common phrases

'Bonus' also appears in several common English phrases, which are good to know for natural-sounding communication.
  • Year-end bonus: A bonus given at the end of the year, typically reflecting annual performance.

The year-end bonus is often a significant part of their total compensation.

  • Performance bonus: A bonus awarded based on an individual's or team's performance.

Many companies offer a performance bonus to motivate employees.

  • Signing bonus: An amount of money paid to an individual upon signing a contract, often in sports or corporate recruitment.

He received a substantial signing bonus when he joined the new team.

  • As a bonus: This phrase means as an extra benefit or something unexpected and positive.

The hotel offers free breakfast, and as a bonus, they have a heated pool.

DEFINITION
A bonus is an extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required. It is typically given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive to encourage future effort.

レベル別の例文

1

She got a big bonus at work.

She got extra money at work.

Simple past tense.

2

The company gave a bonus to all employees.

Everyone at the company got extra money.

Simple past tense, 'to all employees' specifies recipients.

3

If you finish the project early, there's a bonus.

Finish early, get extra.

Conditional sentence (if...then).

4

He received a bonus for his excellent sales.

He got extra money for selling a lot.

Simple past tense, 'for' indicates reason.

5

The store offered a bonus gift with every purchase.

Buy something, get an extra gift.

Simple past tense, 'with every purchase' specifies condition.

6

My dad's bonus helped us buy a new TV.

His extra money helped buy a TV.

Possessive noun, simple past tense.

7

They hope to get a bonus at the end of the year.

They want extra money at year-end.

Present tense, 'hope to get' indicates future intention.

8

The team worked hard and earned a bonus.

Hard work, extra reward.

Simple past tense, 'earned' implies deserving.

1

The employees received a generous bonus at the end of the year.

Los empleados recibieron un bono generoso al final del año.

Here, 'bonus' is the direct object of the verb 'received'.

2

She worked extra hard to earn a performance bonus.

Ella trabajó muy duro para ganar un bono por desempeño.

'Performance bonus' acts as a noun phrase indicating the type of bonus.

3

As a bonus, the company offered free gym memberships.

Como bono, la compañía ofreció membresías gratuitas al gimnasio.

'As a bonus' is a common phrase meaning 'in addition to other things'.

4

The salesman got a bonus for exceeding his sales target.

El vendedor recibió un bono por superar su meta de ventas.

'Bonus' is the direct object, and 'for exceeding his sales target' explains the reason for the bonus.

5

There's an extra bonus if you finish the project early.

Hay un bono extra si terminas el proyecto antes de tiempo.

'Extra bonus' emphasizes that it's an additional reward.

6

The bank offers a sign-up bonus for new customers.

El banco ofrece un bono de bienvenida para nuevos clientes.

'Sign-up bonus' is a compound noun describing the type of bonus.

7

Winning the competition was a bonus, but the experience was the real prize.

Ganar la competencia fue un bono, pero la experiencia fue el verdadero premio.

Here, 'bonus' is used metaphorically to mean an unexpected advantage or extra good thing.

8

Many companies give their staff a Christmas bonus.

Muchas empresas dan a su personal un bono de Navidad.

'Christmas bonus' specifies the occasion for which the bonus is given.

自分をテスト 18 問

multiple choice A2

My company gave me a Christmas ___ because I worked hard all year.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

A bonus is an extra payment given for good performance, which fits the context of working hard all year.

multiple choice A2

If you finish the project early, you might get a special ___.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

A bonus is often given as an incentive or reward, which aligns with finishing a project early.

multiple choice A2

The store offered a ___ discount for customers who bought more than three items.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

A bonus discount implies an extra or additional benefit beyond the regular offerings.

true false A2

A bonus is something extra you get in addition to your usual pay.

正解! おしい! 正解: 正しい

The definition states a bonus is an 'extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required'.

true false A2

If you get a bonus, it means you have to pay more money.

正解! おしい! 正解: 間違い

A bonus is an extra benefit or money given to you, not something you have to pay.

true false A2

A bonus is always given at the beginning of the year.

正解! おしい! 正解: 間違い

A bonus can be given at any time, typically for good performance or as an incentive, not specifically at the beginning of the year.

listening B1

Listen for what the company announced.

正解! おしい! 正解: The company announced a special bonus for all employees at the end of the year.
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening B1

Listen for why she received something extra.

正解! おしい! 正解: She received a bonus for exceeding her sales targets this quarter.
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening B1

Listen for a type of bonus offered with new jobs.

正解! おしい! 正解: Many jobs offer a signing bonus to attract new talent.
正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking B1

Read this aloud:

I hope to get a bonus next month.

Focus: bonus

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking B1

Read this aloud:

The holiday bonus was a pleasant surprise.

Focus: pleasant surprise

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking B1

Read this aloud:

They offered an extra bonus for completing the project early.

Focus: extra bonus

正解! おしい! 正解:
fill blank C1

The company announced an unexpected ___ for all employees due to their outstanding performance this quarter.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

A 'bonus' is an extra amount given for good performance, which fits the context of outstanding employee performance.

fill blank C1

As an incentive, the sales team was promised a substantial ___ if they exceeded their annual targets.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

A 'bonus' is an incentive or extra payment, aligning with the idea of rewarding the sales team for exceeding targets.

fill blank C1

The yearly ___ paid to shareholders reflected the company's robust financial health and profitability.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

In this context, a 'bonus' refers to an extra payment or dividend given to shareholders due to strong financial performance.

fill blank C1

Receiving a performance ___ at the end of the year significantly boosted the morale of the entire department.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

A 'performance bonus' is an additional payment given for good work, which would indeed boost morale.

fill blank C1

The government offered a substantial tax ___ to businesses that invested in renewable energy sources.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

A 'tax bonus' can refer to an additional benefit or incentive in the form of tax relief.

fill blank C1

Winning the competition came with the added ___ of a fully paid trip to a luxury resort.

正解! おしい! 正解: bonus

Here, 'bonus' means an additional, unexpected benefit or advantage, like a prize trip.

/ 18 correct

Perfect score!

関連コンテンツ

Moneyの関連語

prices

B1

何かを買うためのお金の量のことです。複数について話すときにも使います。

pay

A1

商品、サービス、または借金の返済と引き換えにお金を誰かに支払うこと。また、注意や賞賛など、金銭以外のものを与えることを意味する場合もあります。

bank

A2

お金を安全に預けたり、借りたりできる場所。

finance

C1

お金の管理や運用、投資、銀行業務などに関する分野のこと。経済活動における資金の流れ全体を指すよ。

income

C1

仕事や投資などによって、定期的に得るお金のこと。給料や利子などが含まれるよ。

investment

C2

Investment refers to the allocation of resources, such as money, time, or effort, into something with the expectation of achieving a profit or future benefit. In economic terms, it specifically denotes the purchase of goods that are not consumed today but are used in the future to create wealth.

commodity

B2

売買できる基本的な商品、例えば銅やコーヒーのようなもの。

subsidy

B2

To provide financial support for an activity, organization, or industry, usually by a government, to keep prices low or to ensure a service remains functional. It involves paying part of the cost of production or operation so that the end user pays a reduced price.

affluent

C1

Describes individuals, families, or areas that possess a great deal of money and wealth, resulting in a high standard of living. It is often used to characterize the social and economic status of neighborhoods or societies rather than just personal bank accounts.

benefactor

C1

学校や慈善団体に資金や支援を提供する人のこと。いわゆる支援者やパトロンを指すよ。

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