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A1 noun #3,134 most common 9 min read

会計

kaikei Top 3,134

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 会計 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 会計 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '会計' (kaikei) is primarily a survival word. You need it to navigate the most basic of social interactions: paying for things. At this stage, you should focus on the phrase 'O-kaikei onegaishimasu' (The bill, please). You will encounter this word in restaurants, convenience stores, and shops. You don't need to understand the complex 'accounting' side of the word yet. Instead, recognize it as the signal that the transaction is ending. You will often see it written in kanji on signs in stores. Learning to recognize those two characters will help you find the cash register (regi) in a crowded department store. Your goal at A1 is to use it politely with the 'o' prefix and understand that it refers to the total amount you need to pay.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '会計' in slightly more complex sentences. You might ask if you can pay separately ('Betsubetsu ni kaikei dekimasu ka?') or ask where the checkout is ('Kaikei wa doko desu ka?'). You also start to see the word in basic workplace contexts, such as being told to take a receipt to the 'kaikei' (person in charge of money) in a small club or office. You should be able to distinguish between 'kaikei' (the bill/process) and 'shiharai' (the act of paying). At this level, you are also introduced to the idea that 'kaikei' can be a person's role, such as the treasurer of a student group.

By B1, your understanding of '会計' expands into the professional realm. You should be comfortable using it to describe the accounting department of a company ('Kaikei-bu'). You will encounter the word in business emails and documents, such as 'Kaikei houkoku' (financial report). You also begin to understand the nuances between 'kaikei' and 'keiri' (bookkeeping). At this level, you can discuss more abstract concepts, like the importance of clear accounting in a business. You should also be aware of the 'suru' verb form ('kaikei suru') and how it is used in formal documents to mean 'to account for' or 'to settle'.

At the B2 level, '会計' is a tool for understanding Japanese society and economics. You will hear it in news reports concerning 'Kokka kaikei' (national accounts) or 'Kaikei kensa' (audits). You should be able to read and understand articles about corporate financial scandals or changes in accounting standards ('Kaikei kijun'). Your vocabulary will include compound words like 'Kaikei-shi' (accountant) and 'Kounin kaikei-shi' (Certified Public Accountant). You can explain the difference between various financial terms and use 'kaikei' in a variety of formal and technical contexts without confusion.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced grasp of the word's legal and philosophical implications. You can discuss 'Kaikei no toumeisei' (transparency in accounting) and its impact on investor relations. You understand the historical development of the term and how it relates to broader concepts of 'accountability' (setsumei sekinin). You can navigate complex legal documents involving 'Kaikei hou' (Accounting Law) and understand the subtle differences in tone when a CEO discusses 'kaikei' versus when a politician does. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, using the word appropriately across all registers.

At the C2 level, '会計' is a word you can use to analyze the deep structures of Japanese corporate and governmental systems. You are capable of engaging in high-level debates about 'Kaikei riron' (accounting theory) and the 'Kaikei seido' (accounting system) of Japan versus international standards (IFRS). You understand the word's role in classical literature or historical financial records if necessary. You can use the word metaphorically or in highly specialized academic contexts, such as 'Environmental Accounting' (Kankyou Kaikei), and you can critique the linguistic nuances of how financial responsibility is expressed in Japanese culture.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

会計 in 30 Seconds

Kaikei is the essential Japanese word for paying the bill or check in any service environment like cafes or shops.
Beyond daily life, it serves as the formal term for 'accounting' as a professional field and academic major.
The polite form 'O-kaikei' is standard when addressing staff, while 'kaikei' alone is used for technical or business terms.
It covers everything from a simple cash register transaction to complex national financial audits and corporate reporting.

The Japanese word 会計 (kaikei) is a versatile and essential term that every learner of Japanese must master early in their journey. At its most fundamental level, it refers to the management of money, the systematic recording of financial transactions, or the act of settling a bill. For a beginner (A1 level), the most immediate and practical application of this word is in the context of dining out or shopping. When you have finished your meal at a restaurant and are ready to pay, you will use this word to signal the staff. Unlike in some Western cultures where you might ask for 'the bill' or 'the check' at the table, in Japan, the process of kaikei often involves a specific social ritual, frequently performed at a dedicated counter near the entrance.

The Daily Context: In a restaurant, saying 'O-kaikei onegaishimasu' is the standard, polite way to ask to pay. The 'O' is an honorific prefix that adds a layer of politeness, reflecting the Japanese cultural emphasis on social harmony and respect in service transactions.
The Business Context: Moving beyond the dining table, 会計 transforms into a professional term meaning 'accounting' or 'finance.' It refers to the department in a company that handles bookkeeping, audits, and financial reporting. If you work in a Japanese office, you might interact with the kaikei-bu (accounting department).
The Conceptual Meaning: Etymologically, the kanji 会 (meeting/gathering) and 計 (measuring/calculating) suggest the idea of 'calculating the gathering' or 'measuring the assembly.' This implies a systematic approach to balancing accounts where people have come together for a purpose.

すみません、お会計をお願いします。(Sumimasen, o-kaikei o onegaishimasu.)
— The most common way to ask for the bill in Japan.

Furthermore, kaikei is used in political and academic spheres. You will hear about 'national accounting' (kokka kaikei) or 'public accounting' (koukaikei) in news broadcasts. This highlights the word's range from a simple five-dollar transaction at a convenience store to multi-billion yen government budgets. Understanding this word requires recognizing that it bridges the gap between a simple physical action (paying) and a complex abstract system (finance).

彼は大学で会計学を専攻しています。(Kare wa daigaku de kaikeigaku o senkou shite imasu.)
— He is majoring in accounting at university.

Register and Tone: When used as 'the bill,' it is almost always preceded by 'o' (お会計). When used as 'accounting' as a field of study or department, the 'o' is dropped. This distinction is crucial for sounding natural.

Using 会計 (kaikei) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun that can also function as a suru-verb (会計する - to settle an account). In its simplest form, it acts as the object of a sentence. For instance, when you are at a checkout counter, the cashier might say 'Kaikei wa kochira desu' (The checkout is this way). This uses the word as a physical location. However, in most social interactions, it functions as the subject of a request or the direct object of an action.

Common Verb Pairings: The most common verb paired with kaikei is 'sumaseru' (to finish/complete). 'O-kaikei o sumasete kara detekudasai' (Please leave after completing the payment). Another frequent pairing is 'onegaishimasu' (please), which is the standard request form.

別々に会計できますか？(Betsubetsu ni kaikei dekimasu ka?)
— Can we pay separately?

In a business setting, the usage shifts toward the professional. You might hear 'Kaikei houkoku' (financial report) or 'Kaikei kansa' (accounting audit). Here, the word acts as a modifier for other nouns. It is important to notice that in these technical terms, the honorific 'o' is never used. Using 'o-kaikei' in a professional audit context would sound strangely informal or even childish, as 'o' is used to soften social transactions, not to describe rigorous financial systems.

Grammar: The Particle 'De': When specifying the location where payment happens, use the particle 'de'. 'Regi de kaikei o shimasu' (I will pay at the register). If you are referring to the total amount, you might say 'Kaikei de go-sen en ni narimashita' (The total came to 5,000 yen at the checkout).

この会社の会計は非常に不透明だ。(Kono kaisha no kaikei wa hijou ni futoumei da.)
— This company's accounting is very opaque (lacks transparency).

If you are traveling or living in Japan, 会計 (kaikei) is a word you will hear dozens of times a day. Its most frequent 'natural habitat' is the retail and service industry. From the moment you enter a department store like Mitsukoshi to the time you leave a tiny ramen shop, the language of payment revolves around this term. Listen for the staff calling out to each other: 'Kaikei onegaishimasu!' to signal that a customer is ready to pay. You will also see it written on signs above cash registers in supermarkets and pharmacies.

In the Workplace: In a corporate environment, you will hear this word during end-of-month procedures. Employees might say, 'Kaikei ni领収書を提出する' (submit receipts to accounting). It is the standard term for the function of money management within any organization, including schools and non-profits.
In News and Media: Turn on NHK News, and you will hear 'Kaikei Kensa-in' (Board of Audit). This is the government body that checks how tax money is spent. In this context, the word carries a weight of authority and legal scrutiny, far removed from the casual request for a bill at a cafe.

お会計、一括でよろしいでしょうか？(O-kaikei, ikkatsu de yoroshii deshou ka?)
— Would you like to pay for everything all at once (in one lump sum)?

You will also encounter this word in social gatherings like 'Nomikai' (drinking parties). The person who collects the money from everyone is often jokingly or formally referred to as the 'kaikei' for the night. They are the designated treasurer responsible for making sure the restaurant gets paid correctly and that everyone contributes their fair share. This shows how the word scales from institutional finance down to a group of friends sharing a pizza.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 会計 (kaikei) is using it in contexts where 'shiharai' (payment) is more appropriate. While 'kaikei' refers to the process or the department, 'shiharai' refers specifically to the act of handing over money or the obligation to pay. For example, if you want to say 'My payment failed,' you should use 'shiharai,' not 'kaikei.' 'Kaikei' is the 'accounting' or 'the bill,' while 'shiharai' is the 'payment' itself.

The 'O' Prefix Confusion: Learners often forget the 'O' when asking for the bill. While 'Kaikei onegaishimasu' is understandable, it sounds abrupt and slightly rude in a service setting. Conversely, adding 'O' when talking about your major in college ('O-kaikeigaku') sounds bizarre and incorrect.
Mixing with 'Kanjou': Another word, 'kanjou' (勘定), also means 'the bill.' While they are often interchangeable, 'kaikei' is the standard for modern shops. Using 'kanjou' can sometimes sound a bit old-fashioned or like you are in an old-school 'Izakaya'.

❌ 私はお会計をしました。(I did the accounting/bill.)
✅ 私は支払いをしました。(I made the payment.)
— Use 'shiharai' for the act of paying a specific amount.

Another mistake is trying to use 'kaikei' to mean 'the check' in the sense of a physical paper check used as a financial instrument (like a paycheck). In Japanese, a paper check is 'kogitte' (小切手). If you ask for 'kaikei' at a bank while holding a paper check, the teller will be confused as they will think you are talking about the bank's internal accounting systems or asking to pay a bill at the bank counter.

To truly master 会計 (kaikei), you must understand the words that surround it in the financial semantic field. Japanese has several words for 'paying' and 'money management,' each with its own specific nuance and register. Choosing the wrong one won't necessarily make you misunderstood, but it will mark you as a beginner.

会計 (Kaikei) vs. 勘定 (Kanjou): 'Kanjou' is often used in older literature or by older generations. It has a slightly more personal or 'calculation' feel. In a modern Starbucks, you'd say 'kaikei'; in a 50-year-old sushi den, 'kanjou' might feel more at home.
会計 (Kaikei) vs. 経理 (Keiri): 'Keiri' refers specifically to bookkeeping and day-to-day financial administration within a company. 'Kaikei' is the broader term for accounting as a system or profession. If you are entering data into a spreadsheet, you are doing 'keiri' work for the 'kaikei' department.
会計 (Kaikei) vs. 支払い (Shiharai): As mentioned before, 'shiharai' is the act of paying. You make a 'shiharai' at the 'kaikei' (checkout counter).

伝票（でんぴょう）を持って会計に行ってください。(Denpyou o motte kaikei ni itte kudasai.)
— Please take the slip and go to the checkout.

Other related terms include 'Zaimu' (財務), which refers to high-level corporate finance and capital management, and 'Kessai' (決済), which is a more technical term for 'settlement' of accounts or transactions, often used in fintech and digital payments. While 'kaikei' is the word you use with a human cashier, 'kessai' is the word you see on a smartphone app screen when your payment is processing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the Edo period, the term was used primarily for government finance. Its common use as 'the bill' in restaurants is a relatively modern development from the late 19th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kaɪkeɪ/

US /kaɪkeɪ/

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. Kaikei typically has a 'Heiban' (flat) or 'Atamadaka' (head-high) pattern depending on the dialect, but generally, the syllables are of equal length.

Rhymes With

Taikei (System) Saikei (Re-calculation) Maikei (Every occasion - rare) Haikei (Background) Seikei (Livelihood) Keikei (Brightly/Gleaming) Meikei (Famous view) Reikei (Cold system)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kai' as 'kay' (like the letter K).
Pronouncing 'kei' as 'kee' (like the word key).
Putting too much emphasis on the first syllable.
Forgetting to elongate the 'ei' sound at the end.
Confusing the pitch with 'kaikei' (ocean/sea area), though the kanji are different.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji are relatively common but require knowing 9 and 13 strokes respectively.

Writing 3/5

Writing the kanji for 'kei' (計) correctly involves many strokes in the 'speech' radical.

Speaking 1/5

The pronunciation is very simple for English speakers.

Listening 1/5

It is a very distinct-sounding word often shouted or emphasized in shops.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

お金 (Okane - Money) 店 (Mise - Shop) 払う (Harau - To pay) お願いします (Onegaishimasu - Please) いくら (Ikura - How much)

Learn Next

領収書 (Ryoushuusho - Receipt) お釣り (Otsuri - Change) 税金 (Zeikin - Tax) 予算 (Yosan - Budget) 銀行 (Ginkou - Bank)

Advanced

貸借対照表 (Taishaku taishou hyou - Balance sheet) 損益計算書 (Soneki keisansho - Income statement) 監査法人 (Kansa houjin - Audit corporation) 減価償却 (Genka shoukyaku - Depreciation)

Grammar to Know

Honorific Prefix 'O' (お)

お会計 (Polite) vs 会計 (Neutral/Technical)

Suru-Verbs

会計する (To perform accounting/settle a bill)

Particle 'De' for Means

カードで会計する (Pay by card)

Particle 'Ni' for Location of Destination

会計に行く (Go to the checkout)

Compound Nouns

会計 + 事務所 = 会計事務所 (Accounting firm)

Examples by Level

お会計をお願いします。

Check, please.

The 'O' is an honorific prefix for politeness.

会計はどこですか？

Where is the checkout?

Uses 'wa' to mark the topic.

ここで会計をします。

I will pay here.

Uses the particle 'de' for location of action.

お会計、五千円です。

The total is 5,000 yen.

A common phrase used by cashiers.

会計はあちらです。

The checkout is over there.

Uses 'achira' for polite direction.

お会計、一緒でいいですか？

Is it okay to pay together?

'Issho' means together.

カードで会計できますか？

Can I pay by card?

'De' indicates the means/instrument.

会計、終わりました。

The payment is finished.

'Owarimashita' is the past tense of 'to finish'.

別々に会計してください。

Please bill us separately.

'Betsubetsu ni' means separately.

会計の係は誰ですか？

Who is the person in charge of the money?

'Kakari' means the person in charge.

会計を済ませてから、店を出ました。

After finishing the payment, I left the store.

The '-te kara' form indicates sequence.

お会計に間違いがあります。

There is a mistake in the bill.

'Machigai' means mistake.

レジで会計をしてください。

Please pay at the register.

'Regi' is short for cash register.

彼はサークルの会計です。

He is the treasurer of the club.

Here 'kaikei' refers to a role/position.

会計の時、ポイントカードを出しました。

I presented my point card at the time of payment.

'No toki' means 'at the time of'.

お会計は一括払いでお願いします。

I'd like to pay in a single installment.

'Ikkatsu-barai' is a single payment.

会計部に領収書を持って行ってください。

Please take the receipt to the accounting department.

Adding '-bu' makes it 'department'.

今年の会計報告書を作成しました。

I have prepared this year's financial report.

'Houkokusho' means report document.

会計の知識が必要です。

Accounting knowledge is necessary.

'Chishiki' means knowledge.

彼は会計事務所で働いています。

He works at an accounting firm.

'Jimusho' means office/firm.

会計ソフトの使い方を覚えました。

I learned how to use the accounting software.

'Oboemashita' means learned/memorized.

その費用を会計に計上する。

To record that expense in the accounts.

'Keijou suru' is a technical term for recording/booking.

会計上の理由で、それは認められません。

For accounting reasons, that is not permitted.

'-jou' means 'from the standpoint of'.

大学で会計学を専攻しています。

I am majoring in accounting at university.

'-gaku' indicates a field of study.

会計監査の結果、問題は見つかりませんでした。

As a result of the audit, no problems were found.

'Kansa' means audit.

国際会計基準に合わせる必要があります。

It is necessary to align with international accounting standards.

'Kijun' means standards.

会計の不透明さが批判されています。

The lack of transparency in the accounting is being criticized.

'Futoumeisa' means opaqueness/lack of transparency.

公認会計士の試験は非常に難しい。

The exam for a Certified Public Accountant is very difficult.

'Kounin kaikeishi' is a CPA.

このプロジェクトの会計処理は複雑だ。

The accounting treatment for this project is complex.

'Shori' means processing/treatment.

会計年度は四月から始まります。

The fiscal year begins in April.

'Nendo' means fiscal/academic year.

企業の会計責任が問われている。

The accounting responsibility of companies is being questioned.

'Sekinin' means responsibility.

連結会計を導入することに決めた。

We decided to introduce consolidated accounting.

'Renketsu' means consolidated/linked.

会計検査院が政府の支出を厳しくチェックしている。

The Board of Audit is strictly checking government spending.

'Kaikei Kensa-in' is a specific government body.

粉飾会計は法的に厳しく罰せられます。

Window-dressing (fraudulent) accounting is severely punished by law.

'Funshoku kaikei' is the term for creative/fraudulent accounting.

管理会計の手法を用いて、経営効率を高める。

Use managerial accounting methods to increase management efficiency.

'Kanri kaikei' is managerial accounting.

会計基準の変更が利益に大きな影響を与えた。

Changes in accounting standards had a significant impact on profits.

'Eikyou o ataeru' means to have an influence.

彼は会計の専門家として法廷で証言した。

He testified in court as an accounting expert.

'Shougen shita' means testified.

非営利組織の会計原則は一般企業とは異なる。

Accounting principles for non-profits differ from general corporations.

'Gensoku' means principles.

環境会計を導入し、持続可能性を評価する。

Introduce environmental accounting to evaluate sustainability.

'Kankyou' means environment.

会計情報の開示は投資家にとって不可欠だ。

Disclosure of accounting information is indispensable for investors.

'Kaiji' means disclosure.

会計のパラダイムシフトが、資本主義の在り方を変える。

A paradigm shift in accounting changes the nature of capitalism.

'Arisugata' means the way something should be/the state of things.

道徳的観点から会計の役割を再定義する必要がある。

It is necessary to redefine the role of accounting from a moral perspective.

'Saiteigi' means redefinition.

会計という制度が社会の信頼を構築する基盤となっている。

The system known as accounting serves as the foundation for building social trust.

'Kiban' means foundation/basis.

複式簿記の導入は、会計史における最大の転換点であった。

The introduction of double-entry bookkeeping was the greatest turning point in accounting history.

'Fukushiki boki' is double-entry bookkeeping.

会計の数値は、客観的事実というよりは、一つの解釈に過ぎない。

Accounting figures are merely one interpretation rather than objective facts.

'...ni sugisai' means 'is nothing more than...'

会計基準のグローバル化は、国家主権と衝突する可能性がある。

The globalization of accounting standards may conflict with national sovereignty.

'Shoutotsu' means collision/conflict.

会計学の深淵を探求することは、経済の真理に迫ることだ。

Exploring the depths of accounting is to approach the truth of the economy.

'Shin'en' means abyss/depths.

会計情報の非対称性が、市場の非効率性を生み出している。

Information asymmetry in accounting is creating market inefficiencies.

'Hitaishousei' means asymmetry.

Synonyms

勘定支払い精算経理決済

Antonyms

収入支出

Common Collocations

会計をお願いする

会計を済ませる

会計報告

会計監査

会計事務所

会計学

会計年度

会計基準

不透明な会計

会計係

Common Phrases

お会計、別々で

— Separate bills, please. Used when a group wants to pay individually.

お会計、別々でお願いします。

お会計、一緒で

— One bill, please. Used when one person is paying for the whole group.

お会計、一緒で大丈夫です。

会計を任せる

— To leave the accounting/bill to someone else.

彼に会計を任せた。

会計を通す

— To put something through the accounts or the register.

この商品は会計を通しましたか？

会計に回す

— To send a document or bill to the accounting department.

この請求書を会計に回してください。

会計が合う

— The accounts balance or match.

レジの会計が合わない。

会計を締める

— To close the books or finish the day's accounting.

午後五時に会計を締めます。

会計が明るい

— To have transparent or 'clean' finances.

あの政治家は会計が明るい。

お会計、お預かりします

— I'll take your payment (said by cashiers).

お会計、一万円お預かりします。

会計のプロ

— A professional accountant.

彼は会計のプロだ。

Often Confused With

会計 vs 支払い (Shiharai)

Shiharai is the act of paying; Kaikei is the bill or the system.

会計 vs 計算 (Keisan)

Keisan is general calculation/math; Kaikei is financial accounting.

会計 vs 経理 (Keiri)

Keiri is day-to-day bookkeeping; Kaikei is the broader field of accounting.

Idioms & Expressions

"どんぶり勘定"

— Loose or slipshod accounting; estimating roughly without detailed records.

どんぶり勘定では会社は潰れる。

Informal

"会計を洗う"

— To thoroughly investigate or audit the accounts (slangy/police context).

警察が企業の会計を洗っている。

Journalistic/Slang

"勘定に入れる"

— To take something into account or consideration.

リスクを勘定に入れる必要がある。

Neutral

"勘定が合わない"

— Things don't add up (used both for money and for logic/situations).

彼の話は勘定が合わない。

Neutral

"割り勘"

— Splitting the bill equally (derived from 'wari-kanjou').

今日は割り勘にしましょう。

Informal

"付けで払う"

— To pay on credit or put it on a tab.

いつもの店で付けで飲む。

Informal

"自腹を切る"

— To pay out of one's own pocket.

出張費を自腹で切った。

Neutral

"懐が痛む"

— To suffer a financial blow (one's pocket hurts).

急な出費で懐が痛む。

Informal

"太っ腹"

— Generous (literally 'big belly', implying a large capacity for paying).

彼は太っ腹だから、全部奢ってくれた。

Informal

"火の車"

— Being in desperate financial straits (literally 'fire carriage').

家計が火の車だ。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

会計 vs 勘定 (Kanjou)

Both mean 'the bill'.

Kaikei is more modern and used for the 'accounting' profession. Kanjou is more about the 'calculation' and is slightly older.

お勘定をお願いします。(Traditional) vs お会計をお願いします。(Standard)

会計 vs 改定 (Kaitei)

Sounds similar (Kaikei vs Kaitei).

Kaitei means revision or update (e.g., of prices or laws).

価格の改定。(Price revision)

会計 vs 海系 (Kaikei)

Homophone in some pronunciations.

Means 'ocean-related' or 'marine-type'. Rarely used in conversation.

海系の生物。(Marine-related organisms)

会計 vs 家計 (Kakei)

Sounds very similar (Kaikei vs Kakei).

Kakei specifically means 'household finances' or family budget.

家計をやりくりする。(Manage the household budget)

会計 vs 決済 (Kessai)

Both relate to paying.

Kessai is a technical term for 'settlement' or 'clearance' of a transaction.

オンライン決済。(Online settlement)

Sentence Patterns

お会計、お願いします。

すみません、お会計、お願いします。

[Place] で会計をします。

レジで会計をします。

[Person] が会計を担当する。

田中さんが会計を担当しています。

[Noun] の会計処理は [Adjective] だ。

この経費の会計処理は複雑だ。

会計の [Noun] が問われている。

企業の会計責任が問われている。

会計という制度の [Noun] を考察する。

会計という制度の歴史的背景を考察する。

別々に会計できますか？

お会計、別々にできますか？

会計報告を [Verb]。

会計報告を作成しました。

Word Family

Nouns

会計士 (Kaikeishi - Accountant)

会計学 (Kaikeigaku - Accounting study)

会計部 (Kaikeibu - Accounting department)

会計監査 (Kaikeikansa - Accounting audit)

Verbs

会計する (Kaikei suru - To account/settle)

会計処理する (Kaikei shori suru - To process accounts)

Adjectives

会計上の (Kaikeijou no - Accounting-related/on the books)

経理 (Keiri - Bookkeeping)

財務 (Zaimu - Finance)

勘定 (Kanjou - Calculation/Bill)

予算 (Yosan - Budget)

決算 (Kessan - Settlement of accounts)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and business.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Kaikei' for a bank check. → Kogitte (小切手)
Kaikei is the process/bill, not the physical paper instrument used for payment.
Forgetting the 'O' in a restaurant. → O-kaikei onegaishimasu.
Without 'O', it sounds blunt and can be perceived as rude to service staff.
Saying 'O-kaikeigaku' for the study of accounting. → Kaikeigaku.
Honorifics are not used for academic subjects or technical fields.
Using 'Kaikei' when 'Shiharai' (payment) is needed. → Shiharai ga okuremashita. (The payment was late.)
Kaikei refers to the bill or system, while 'shiharai' is the act of paying.
Confusing 'Kaikei' with 'Kakei' (household budget). → Kakeibo (household account book).
Kakei is specifically for home finances; Kaikei is for business or bills.

Tips

The Slip System

In Japan, look for a small slip of paper at your table. You usually need to bring this to the 'Kaikei' counter to pay.

Politeness Matters

Always use 'O-kaikei' with staff. Using just 'Kaikei' can sound like a command rather than a request.

Department Names

If you are looking for the finance office in a company, look for '会計部' (Kaikei-bu) or '経理部' (Keiri-bu).

Study the Kanji

Both kanji are very useful. 会 (meet) and 計 (measure) appear in hundreds of other words.

The Treasurer Role

If you are the 'Kaikei' for a group dinner, you should collect money before the bill comes to make the checkout smooth.

Signs

Look for the characters 会計 on signs in airports or stations to find where to pay for tickets or service fees.

Suru-Verb Usage

You can say 'Kaikei suru' in a formal report, but in speech, it's usually 'O-kaikei o sumaseru'.

Regi vs Kaikei

Staff might use 'Regi' (register) and 'Kaikei' interchangeably. Don't let it confuse you.

Radicals

The 'speech' radical in 計 (kei) is a hint that 'accounting' involves reporting or 'speaking' about numbers.

Gathering and Measuring

Remember the kanji meanings: Gathering (会) + Measuring (計) = Accounting.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Meeting' (会) where everyone brings their 'Calculator' (計) to split the bill. Kai-Kei.

Visual Association

Visualize a cash register with a 'Meeting' icon (two people shaking hands) on the screen. This links the social gathering to the payment.

Word Web

Money Restaurant Accountant Bill Numbers Tax Receipt Wallet

Challenge

Next time you go to a Japanese restaurant, try to find the word 会計 on the receipt or near the door. If you are feeling brave, say 'O-kaikei onegaishimasu' instead of using English.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two kanji: 会 (kai) meaning 'gathering' or 'meeting' and 計 (kei) meaning 'to measure' or 'to calculate'. It entered the Japanese language through Sinitic (Chinese) influence.

Original meaning: The original meaning in Classical Chinese referred to the periodic calculation of accounts or the assessment of resources gathered by the state.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Avoid joking about 'fudged accounting' in a formal Japanese business setting, as financial integrity is taken very seriously.

English speakers often look for the 'Check' at the table. In Japan, looking for the 'Kaikei' counter is the standard.

The 'Board of Audit' (Kaikei Kensa-in) is mentioned in political dramas. The 'Certified Public Accountant' (Kaikeishi) is a common high-status job in manga. The phrase 'O-kaikei' is used in almost every slice-of-life anime set in a cafe.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Restaurant

お会計、お願いします。
別々で会計できますか？
カードで会計したいです。
会計はテーブルですか？

In an Office

会計部に相談します。
会計報告をまとめました。
経費を会計に回す。
会計ソフトを導入する。

At a School/Club

私が今年の会計です。
会計報告を掲示する。
部費の会計をチェックする。
会計係に集金する。

Watching the News

不正会計が発覚した。
会計検査院の調査。
国の会計年度。
新しい会計基準。

At a Supermarket

会計はあちらの列です。
セルフレジで会計する。
会計前に袋を出す。
会計が終わったカゴ。

Conversation Starters

"すみません、お会計はどこですればいいですか？ (Excuse me, where should I pay?)"

"お会計、一緒でよろしいでしょうか？ (Is it okay if I pay for everything together?)"

"会計の仕事に興味がありますか？ (Are you interested in accounting work?)"

"大学の専攻は会計学だったんですか？ (Was your university major accounting?)"

"飲み会の会計、誰にお金を渡せばいい？ (For the drinking party bill, who should I give the money to?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、レストランで「お会計をお願いします」と言ってみた時の感想を書きなさい。 (Write your feelings when you tried saying 'O-kaikei onegaishimasu' at a restaurant today.)

自分のお金の管理（個人会計）について、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about your own money management/personal accounting?)

将来、会計士になりたいですか？その理由も書きなさい。 (Do you want to be an accountant in the future? Write the reason as well.)

日本のレジでの会計は、あなたの国とどう違いますか？ (How is the payment at the register in Japan different from your country?)

「どんぶり勘定」をして失敗した経験はありますか？ (Do you have an experience where you failed because of 'loose accounting'?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, if you mean a physical paper check, use 'Kogitte' (小切手). 'Kaikei' refers to the accounting process or a bill at a shop.

'O-kaikei' is more common in modern cities and chain restaurants. 'O-kanjou' is often heard in traditional bars or among older people.

You can say 'Betsubetsu ni kaikei onegaishimasu' or simply 'Betsubetsu de'.

No, but it is a job title or a role in a club (e.g., the treasurer).

No, never. Use 'Kaikeigaku' (会計学). Adding 'O' makes it sound like you are being overly polite to a field of study, which is incorrect.

It means 'fraudulent accounting' or 'window-dressing'. It's a term often seen in news about corporate scandals.

Yes, 'O-kaikei' usually refers to the total amount including tax (zeikomi).

It's better to say 'Onegaishimasu'. 'Kaikei shimasu' sounds like you are the one doing the accounting work.

It is the Japanese word for an Accountant. A 'Kounin Kaikeishi' is a CPA.

Yes, you will see signs for 'Kaikei' or 'Regi' above the checkout counters.