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B1 noun #3,800 most common 8 min read

支給

shikyuu Top 3,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 支給 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 支給 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '支給' (shikyū) yourself yet, but you might see it in very simple contexts. Think of it as a very formal way to say 'give' (ageru) or 'pay' (harau). Usually, you learn 'kane o haraimasu' (I pay money). 'Shikyū' is the word a company uses when they pay you. You might see it on a sign for a part-time job that says 'Koutsuuhi Shikyū' (Transportation money given). Just remember: Shikyū = Formal Give/Pay from a company to you. It is a noun that can become a verb by adding 'suru'. Even if you cannot use it in a sentence, recognizing it on a job poster is a great first step. It is made of two kanji: 'Shi' (support) and 'Kyū' (supply). Together they mean 'giving support'.

At the A2 level, you should begin to recognize '支給' in work-related settings. If you are looking for a part-time job (arubaito), this word is very important. You will see 'Seifuku shikyū' which means 'Uniform provided.' This is good because it means you don't have to buy your own clothes for work! You should also know 'Koutsuuhi shikyū,' which means the company pays for your train or bus ticket. In basic sentences, you can use it like this: 'Kaisha ga pasokon o shikyū shimasu' (The company provides a computer). Remember that this word is formal. Don't use it when giving a gift to a friend. Use 'ageru' for friends and 'shikyū' for business or official things. It's often used in the form 'shikyū sareru' (to be provided with something) when talking about what you receive from your boss or the government.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '支給' correctly in professional and administrative contexts. You should understand the nuance that 支給 implies an entitlement or a formal provision of resources. For example, when discussing employment terms, you would say 'Teate ga shikyū sareru' (Allowances are provided). This is more appropriate than 'morau' (receive) in a business meeting. You should also be familiar with compound words like 'shikyū-bi' (payment date) and 'shikyū-gaku' (payment amount). At this level, you should be able to explain that 支給 is used for money or goods given from an organization to an individual. You should also be careful not to confuse it with 'kyōkyū' (supply), which is used for resources like water or electricity. Using 支給 correctly makes your Japanese sound much more professional and 'adult' in an office environment.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '支給' in complex sentences and understanding its role in legal or official documents. You should recognize that 支給 is the standard term for the disbursement of government benefits, such as 'unemployment benefits' (shitsugyō hoken no shikyū) or 'pension' (nenkin no shikyū). You should also be able to use it in the passive voice to describe systematic processes: 'Kono teate wa, jōken o mitashita mono ni nomi shikyū sareru' (This allowance is provided only to those who meet the conditions). Furthermore, you should distinguish 支給 from similar terms like 'kōfu' (issuance of documents) and 'fuyo' (granting of rights/points). Understanding the administrative weight of the word—that it often involves an application and approval process—is key at this level. You might also encounter it in news reports regarding economic stimulus packages or corporate welfare reforms.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of '支給' and its related formal vocabulary. You should be able to discuss the socio-economic implications of 'shikyū' systems, such as the 'basic income provision' (bēshikku inkamu no shikyū) or 'disaster relief disbursement.' You should be able to use the word in high-level business negotiations or legal discussions without hesitation. For instance, 'Shikyū kijun no minaoshi' (Reviewing the provision criteria) is a phrase you might use in a management meeting. You should also understand its use in academic or technical writing, where it describes the allocation of grants or research funds. At this level, you should also be aware of the historical development of the term and how it fits into the broader Japanese 'shakai hoshō' (social security) framework. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of Japanese institutional hierarchy and the formal language (keigo) often surrounding these transactions.

At the C2 level, '支給' is a basic tool in your vast linguistic arsenal. You should be able to navigate the most complex bureaucratic forms and legal statutes where 'shikyū' is defined and regulated. You can effortlessly switch between 支給 and its more specific synonyms like 'kyūfu' (benefit payment), 'kyūyo' (allowance/grant), or 'haifu' (distribution) depending on the exact legal or social context. You should be able to critique government policies regarding the 'shikyū' of social services and engage in debates about the efficiency of these systems. Your understanding includes the subtle differences in tone when 'shikyū' is used in different eras of Japanese literature or official gazettes. You are likely capable of drafting corporate policies that define 'shikyū' protocols for employees, ensuring that the language is both legally sound and professionally appropriate. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a concept you can manipulate to express precise administrative and social nuances.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

支給 in 30 Seconds

支給 (Shikyū) means the formal provision of money or goods from an organization to an individual, often used for salaries and equipment.
It is commonly used in business and government contexts, such as providing commuting allowances, uniforms, or social security benefits.
Grammatically, it functions as a noun or a suru-verb (支給する), and is frequently seen in the passive voice (支給される).
It differs from 'giving' (ageru) because it implies an institutional relationship and a specific entitlement or requirement for the recipient.

The Japanese word 支給 (しきゅう - Shikyū) is a formal noun and Suru-verb that translates to 'provision,' 'supply,' or 'payment.' Unlike the general word for giving (あげる) or paying (払う), 支給 carries a specific institutional weight. It describes the act of an organization—be it a corporation, a government body, or an educational institution—providing money, equipment, or benefits to an individual who is entitled to them. In the Japanese workplace, this word is omnipresent, appearing on pay stubs, employment contracts, and internal memos regarding office supplies.

Institutional Context: It is used when a company provides a laptop to a new hire. This isn't a gift; it is the 'provision' of a tool necessary for work. Similarly, when a government distributes disaster relief funds, it is referred to as 支給.
Directionality: The flow is almost always from a higher organizational entity to a lower or individual entity. You would never use 支給 to describe paying a friend back for lunch or giving a present to your parents.
Financial Nuance: While it can refer to physical goods, it is most frequently associated with 'allowances' (手当 - teate). In Japan, salary structures are often broken down into base pay plus various 'shikyū' items like commuting allowances or housing subsidies.

今月から通勤手当が支給されることになりました。
— From this month, a commuting allowance will be provided.

Understanding 支給 is essential for anyone navigating the Japanese professional world. It is the word that tells you what you are 'entitled' to receive as part of your role. Whether it is the 支給品 (supplied goods) like a uniform or the 支給額 (payment amount) on your bank statement, the word implies a formal, regulated transfer of resources. It reflects the structured nature of Japanese society where roles and their corresponding benefits are clearly defined and administratively handled.

会社から新しいスマートフォンが支給された。
— A new smartphone was issued by the company.

Formal Documents: You will see this word on every 'Kyūryo Meisai' (payslip). It categorizes the money moving from the company's accounts to yours.

In summary, use 支給 when you want to sound professional about the systematic distribution of funds or materials. It elevates the conversation from a simple 'giving' to a formal 'provisioning' process, fitting perfectly within the CEFR B1 level requirement of handling professional and administrative vocabulary.

Using 支給 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical flexibility. It can function as a standalone noun or as a verb when combined with する (suru). Because it is a formal term, it is frequently used in the passive voice (支給される) to indicate that an employee or citizen has received something from an authority figure or organization.

交通費は全額支給します。
— We will provide the full amount for transportation expenses.

When constructing sentences, the object being provided is usually marked with the particle を (o) when using the active form, or が (ga) when using the passive form. For example, 'PCを支給する' (to provide a PC) versus 'PCが支給される' (a PC is provided). This distinction is vital for clear communication in business emails and HR discussions.

Common Pattern: [Organization] + から + [Item] + が + 支給される: This is the standard way to say you received something. Example: '政府から給付金が支給された' (Benefits were provided by the government).
Common Pattern: [Item] + 支給: In job listings, you will often see '制服支給' (Uniform provided) or '交通費支給' (Transport expenses paid). This shorthand is very common in recruitment ads.

残業代が正しく支給されているか確認してください。
— Please check if your overtime pay is being correctly provided.

Furthermore, 支給 can be used in compound words. 支給日 (shikyū-bi) refers to the date of payment or provision. 支給額 (shikyū-gaku) refers to the amount provided. These compounds are essential for reading Japanese paystubs or administrative forms. When you are asking about when you will get paid, you might ask, '支給日はいつですか？' (When is the payment date?).

この手当は、扶養家族がいる社員に支給されます。
— This allowance is provided to employees with dependents.

In formal speeches, especially by HR managers during orientation, you will hear the 'Extra Polite' forms like '支給させていただきます' (We will humbly provide). This emphasizes the company's service to the employee while maintaining a professional distance.

You will encounter 支給 in three primary environments: the workplace, government offices, and recruitment media. It is not a word used in casual conversation between friends at a bar, unless they are specifically complaining about their company's benefits or lack thereof.

1. The Corporate Office: During your first day at a Japanese company, the HR representative will likely say, 'こちらが支給品です' (These are the items provided to you), handing over a security badge, a laptop, and perhaps a business card holder. In monthly meetings, the finance department might discuss the '賞与の支給' (provision of bonuses).
2. Government and Administration: When applying for child support (児童手当), unemployment insurance (失業保険), or pension (年金), the official term for the money being sent to your account is 支給. News broadcasts frequently use phrases like '給付金の支給が始まりました' (The provision of benefit payments has begun).

年金は２ヶ月に一度支給されます。
— Pensions are provided once every two months.

Recruitment is perhaps the place where learners see this word most often. Job boards like TownWork or Rikunabi are filled with the word 支給. It serves as a key indicator of a job's 'perks.' For example, '交通費全額支給' (Full transportation expenses provided) is one of the most sought-after phrases for commuters. If a job listing says '支給なし' (No provision), it means you are expected to provide your own tools or pay for your own travel.

アルバイトでも有給休暇が支給される場合があります。
— Even for part-time jobs, paid leave is sometimes provided.

In a more technical sense, doctors or hospitals might use 支給 when referring to medical supplies provided under insurance. For instance, if a patient needs a specific medical device, the insurance company might handle the 支給 of that device. It always maintains this air of 'official distribution' rather than 'personal giving.'

While 支給 is a useful word, learners often misapply it in personal or casual contexts. The most common error is using it as a direct synonym for 'give' (あげる) or 'pay' (払う) without considering the institutional requirement. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake 1: Personal Transactions: Incorrect: '友達に1000円を支給した' (I provided 1000 yen to my friend).
Correct: '友達に1000円を返した' (I returned 1000 yen to my friend).
Reason: 支給 requires an organization-to-individual relationship. Using it with a friend sounds like you are acting as their employer or a government agency.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 供給 (Kyōkyū): Incorrect: '電力の支給' (Provision of electricity).
Correct: '電力の供給' (Supply of electricity).
Reason: 供給 is for 'supply' in an economic or resource sense (like water, power, or market supply). 支給 is specifically for 'provision' to individuals as a benefit or tool.

❌ 誕生日にプレゼントを支給した。
✅ 誕生日にプレゼントをあげた。

Another mistake involves the 'repayment' of expenses. While a company '支給s' travel expenses, if you are just paying someone back for a shared taxi, use '払う' (harau) or '精算する' (seisan suru - to settle the account). 支給 is the act of the organization authorizing and releasing the funds.

不適切な支給は、返還を求められることがあります。
— Improper payments may be required to be returned.

Finally, watch out for the kanji. 支給 (provision) is often confused with 至急 (shikyū - urgent). They are homophones. In an email, if you write '至急してください' (Please do it urgently) instead of '支給してください' (Please provide it), the meaning changes drastically. Always double-check your kanji selection in professional correspondence!

Japanese has many words for 'giving' or 'providing' depending on the hierarchy, the object, and the formality. Knowing the alternatives to 支給 will help you choose the most natural word for your situation.

支給 (Shikyū) vs. 供給 (Kyōkyū): 支給: Provision of specific items/money to individuals (e.g., salary, laptops).
供給: Large-scale supply of resources (e.g., electricity, water, supply and demand).
支給 (Shikyū) vs. 付与 (Fuyo): 支給: Physical or monetary provision.
付与: Granting of abstract rights or points (e.g., granting permission, giving credit card points, assigning a ID number).
支給 (Shikyū) vs. 配布 (Haifu): 支給: Provision based on entitlement or necessity for a role.
配布: General distribution to a crowd (e.g., handing out flyers, distributing handouts in class).

このポイントは、毎月１日に付与されます。
— These points are granted on the 1st of every month.

If you are talking about 'issuing' a document like a passport or a license, the word is 交付 (Kōfu). While 支給 is for 'supportive' items like money or tools, 交付 is for 'authoritative' documents. For example, '免許証の交付' (issuance of a driver's license).

チラシを駅前で配布しています。
— They are distributing flyers in front of the station.

Lastly, for 'providing' services or opportunities, use 提供 (Teikyō). If a company provides a 'service' to a customer, they use 提供. If they provide 'lunch' to an employee, they use 支給. The nuance of 支給 always points back to the internal support of an individual within a system.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While 'shikyū' (支給) means provision, its homophone 'shikyū' (至急) means 'urgent'. This leads to many puns and occasional confusion in transcribed text if the kanji is not clear.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃi.kʲɯː/

US /ʃi.kjuː/

The stress in Japanese is pitch-based. In 'shikyū', the pitch typically rises on the 'kyū' syllable.

Rhymes With

至急 (Shikyū - Urgent) 子宮 (Shikyū - Uterus) 持久 (Jikyū - Endurance) 自給 (Jikyū - Self-sufficiency) 普及 (Fukyū - Diffusion) 追求 (Tsuikyū - Pursuit) 中継 (Chūkei - Broadcast) 休憩 (Kyūkei - Rest)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kyu' as a short sound instead of a long 'kyū'.
Confusing it with 'shikyū' (至急) which means 'urgent' - they sound the same, context is key.
Mispronouncing 'shi' as 'si'.
Stress on the first syllable like English 'SHE-kyu'.
Not connecting the 'k' and 'y' sounds smoothly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require knowing B1-level vocabulary to distinguish from homophones.

Writing 3/5

The kanji 支給 are relatively simple but must be written accurately to avoid confusion with 至急.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires formal context to use correctly.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from 'shikyū' (urgent) based on sentence context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

給料 (Salary) 払う (To pay) 会社 (Company) 道具 (Tool) 与える (To give)

Learn Next

給付 (Benefit) 交付 (Issuance) 手当 (Allowance) 控除 (Deduction) 所得 (Income)

Advanced

遡及 (Retroactive) 是正 (Rectify) 算定 (Calculation) 要件 (Requirement) 措置 (Measure)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

会社がPCを支給する。

Passive Voice (Receiving)

手当が支給される。

Noun Compounds

支給日、支給額、支給品。

Honorifics (Keigo)

支給させていただきます。

Causative Passive

支給させられる (rare: to be made to provide).

Examples by Level

会社からパソコンが支給されました。

A computer was provided by the company.

Passive form: 支給されました (was provided).

交通費は支給されますか？

Are transportation expenses provided?

Question form using the passive voice.

制服が支給されます。

A uniform will be provided.

Noun + が + 支給される.

お金が支給されました。

Money was provided.

Simple passive structure.

これは会社からの支給品です。

This is a company-provided item.

支給品 (shikyū-hin) is a compound noun meaning 'provided item'.

毎月、手当が支給されます。

Every month, an allowance is provided.

Adverb '毎月' (every month) with the verb.

支給日は明日です。

The payment date is tomorrow.

支給日 (shikyū-bi) means 'payment/provision date'.

スマホを支給します。

We will provide a smartphone.

Active form: 支給します (will provide).

アルバイトにも交通費が支給される。

Transportation expenses are provided even for part-time jobs.

Particle 'にも' (also/even for).

新しい作業着が支給された。

New work clothes were provided.

Past passive: 支給された (was provided).

支給額はいくらですか？

How much is the provided amount?

支給額 (shikyū-gaku) means 'amount paid/provided'.

会社が昼食代を支給してくれる。

The company provides money for lunch for us.

支給してくれる (kindly provides for us).

この道具は支給されたものです。

This tool is something that was provided.

支給されたもの (thing that was provided).

特別手当が支給されることになった。

It has been decided that a special allowance will be provided.

ことになった (it has been decided).

支給品を失くさないでください。

Please do not lose the provided items.

Negative request: 失くさないでください.

来週、新しいIDカードが支給されます。

Next week, a new ID card will be provided.

Time marker '来週' (next week).

通勤手当の支給基準を教えてください。

Please tell me the criteria for providing commuting allowances.

支給基準 (shikyū kijun) means 'provision criteria'.

政府から給付金が支給される予定だ。

Benefits are scheduled to be provided by the government.

予定だ (scheduled/planned).

残業代が正しく支給されていないようだ。

It seems that overtime pay is not being correctly provided.

～ていないようだ (it seems that... is not...).

退職時に、支給品をすべて返却した。

Upon resignation, I returned all the provided items.

退職時 (at the time of resignation).

賞与の支給日は、会社によって異なります。

The bonus payment date varies depending on the company.

～によって異なります (varies depending on...).

住宅手当が支給される条件は何ですか？

What are the conditions for receiving a housing allowance?

支給される条件 (conditions for being provided).

備品は会社から支給されるので、自分で買う必要はありません。

Supplies are provided by the company, so there is no need to buy them yourself.

～必要はありません (no need to...).

育児休業給付金の支給申請を行った。

I applied for the provision of childcare leave benefits.

支給申請 (application for provision).

震災の被害者に義援金が支給された。

Donations were provided to the victims of the earthquake.

Formal context: 義援金 (donations/relief money).

年金の支給開始年齢が引き上げられた。

The age at which pension payments begin has been raised.

支給開始年齢 (age at which provision starts).

不適切な支給が発覚し、返還が求められた。

Improper payments were discovered, and repayment was requested.

発覚し (was discovered - continuative form).

会社は全社員にテレワーク手当を支給することを決定した。

The company decided to provide a telework allowance to all employees.

支給することを決定した (decided to provide).

支給対象となるかどうか、規定を確認してください。

Please check the regulations to see if you are eligible for provision.

支給対象 (subject/target of provision).

家族手当の支給が廃止されることになった。

It has been decided that the provision of family allowances will be abolished.

廃止される (to be abolished).

その費用は、経費として後日支給されます。

Those costs will be provided later as expenses.

後日 (at a later date).

失業保険の支給期間を延長する措置が取られた。

Measures were taken to extend the period for providing unemployment insurance.

支給期間 (provision period).

生活保護の支給基準を巡って、激しい議論が交わされている。

Intense debates are being held regarding the criteria for providing public assistance.

～を巡って (concerning/over).

研究費の支給が打ち切られ、プロジェクトは中止に追い込まれた。

The provision of research funds was cut off, and the project was forced to be canceled.

打ち切られ (cut off/terminated).

法改正により、新たな給付金の支給が義務付けられた。

Due to a legal amendment, the provision of new benefits was mandated.

義務付けられた (was mandated/obligated).

支給停止処分を受けた理由は、所得制限を超えたためだ。

The reason for the suspension of payments was that income limits were exceeded.

支給停止処分 (disposition of payment suspension).

助成金の支給決定通知書が届いた。

A notice of the decision to provide a subsidy arrived.

支給決定通知書 (official notice of provision decision).

ベーシックインカムの支給が社会に与える影響を調査する。

We will investigate the impact that the provision of basic income has on society.

社会に与える影響 (impact given to society).

未払い賃金の立替支給制度を利用することにした。

I decided to use the system for the advance payment of unpaid wages.

立替支給 (advance/proxy payment).

恩給の支給対象者は年々減少している。

The number of people eligible for pensions (veteran/old system) is decreasing year by year.

年々減少している (decreasing year by year).

官民格差を是正するため、各種手当の支給要件が厳格化された。

In order to rectify the gap between the public and private sectors, the requirements for providing various allowances were tightened.

厳格化された (were tightened/made more strict).

当該助成金は、事業計画の進捗状況に応じて段階的に支給される。

The subsidy in question will be provided in stages according to the progress of the business plan.

段階的に (in stages/gradually).

支給額の算定根拠を明確にすることが、透明性の確保に繋がる。

Clarifying the basis for calculating the payment amount leads to ensuring transparency.

算定根拠 (basis for calculation).

被災者生活再建支援金の支給手続きが簡素化される見通しだ。

The procedures for providing support funds for rebuilding disaster victims' lives are expected to be simplified.

見通しだ (it is expected/predicted).

賞与の支給水準は、企業の業績と連動して決定されるのが一般的だ。

It is common for the level of bonus payments to be determined in conjunction with corporate performance.

～と連動して (in conjunction with).

不正受給を防ぐため、支給審査のプロセスをAIで自動化した。

To prevent fraudulent reception, the provision screening process was automated using AI.

支給審査 (provision screening/audit).

退職金の一時金支給か年金形式かを選択する権利が与えられている。

The right to choose between a lump-sum retirement payment or a pension format is granted.

一時金支給 (lump-sum payment).

社会保障給付の総額が国家予算を圧迫しており、支給抑制が不可避となっている。

The total amount of social security benefits is straining the national budget, making the suppression of payments inevitable.

支給抑制 (suppression of provision/payments).

Synonyms

給付供与配分提供

Antonyms

徴収回収

Common Collocations

全額支給

支給対象

支給基準

支給停止

支給品

支給額

支給日

手当を支給する

一括支給

現物支給

Common Phrases

交通費支給

— Transportation expenses are provided/paid by the employer.

交通費支給の仕事を探しています。

制服支給

— A uniform is provided by the workplace.

制服支給なので、服を気にしなくていい。

支給を受ける

— To receive provision or payment from an institution.

国から補助金の支給を受ける。

支給を打ち切る

— To stop or terminate the provision of funds or goods.

支援金の支給を打ち切ることにした。

支給を申請する

— To apply for the provision of a benefit or allowance.

失業保険の支給を申請した。

支給が遅れる

— The provision or payment is delayed.

システムの不具合で支給が遅れている。

支給を再開する

— To resume the provision or payment after a pause.

来月から手当の支給を再開します。

支給を拒否する

— To refuse to provide or pay something.

会社が残業代の支給を拒否している。

支給要件

— The requirements or conditions for receiving a payment.

支給要件を確認してください。

支給限度額

— The maximum limit for a provided amount.

医療費の支給限度額を超えた。

Often Confused With

支給 vs 至急 (Shikyū)

Means 'urgent'. Sounds identical but has different kanji and meaning.

支給 vs 供給 (Kyōkyū)

Means 'supply' (like utilities). 支給 is for individuals; 供給 is for systems/markets.

支給 vs 支給 (Shikyū)

Also a homophone for 'uterus' (子宮), though context usually prevents confusion.

Idioms & Expressions

"現物支給"

— Payment in kind; giving goods instead of cash.

昔は給料が米で現物支給されていた。

Formal/Economic

"一括支給"

— Lump-sum payment; paying the total amount at once.

退職金を一括支給で受け取る。

Formal/Business

"遡及支給"

— Retroactive payment; paying for a past period.

給与改定に伴い、差額を遡及支給した。

Legal/Business

"分割支給"

— Installment payment; providing money in parts.

助成金は3回に分けて分割支給される。

Formal/Financial

"特別支給"

— Special provision; an extra or non-standard payment.

震災見舞金が特別支給された。

Formal/Administrative

"支給停止処分"

— Disciplinary action of suspending payments.

不正が発覚し、支給停止処分となった。

Legal/Administrative

"支給開始年齢"

— The age at which one starts receiving benefits (like pension).

支給開始年齢の議論が続いている。

Formal/Political

"支給対象外"

— Not eligible for provision/payment.

この費用は支給対象外です。

Administrative

"支給漏れ"

— Failure to pay; an omission in the provision process.

一部の社員に支給漏れがあった。

Business/Internal

"支給余力"

— Capacity to provide; financial room to pay more.

その基金にはまだ支給余力がある。

Financial/Academic

Easily Confused

支給 vs 給与

Both relate to pay.

給与 is the 'salary' itself; 支給 is the 'act of providing' it or specific components.

給与（salary）の支給（provision）。

支給 vs 交付

Both involve a formal giving.

交付 is for documents/licenses; 支給 is for money/goods.

免許証の交付、手当の支給。

支給 vs 付与

Both involve giving something formal.

付与 is for abstract rights/points; 支給 is for tangible goods/money.

ポイントの付与、制服の支給。

支給 vs 配給

Both mean distribution.

配給 is for rationing/emergency distribution; 支給 is for regular employment/welfare benefits.

戦時の食料配給、毎月の給与支給。

支給 vs 提供

Both mean provide.

提供 is a broad term for services/info; 支給 is specifically institutional provision to a member.

サービスの提供、備品の支給。

Sentence Patterns

[Item] が支給される

パソコンが支給される。

[Organization] から [Item] を支給する

会社から交通費を支給する。

[Item] 支給 (Job Listing Style)

制服支給。

[Item] の支給を受ける

年金の支給を受ける。

[Item] を支給対象とする

アルバイトを支給対象とする。

[Item] の支給を停止する

給付金の支給を停止する。

[Item] の支給基準を定める

手当の支給基準を定める。

[Item] の支給要件を厳格化する

各種手当の支給要件を厳格化する。

Word Family

Nouns

支給品 (shikyū-hin)

支給額 (shikyū-gaku)

支給日 (shikyū-bi)

再支給 (sa-shikyū)

Verbs

支給する (shikyū-suru)

支給される (shikyū-sareru)

Adjectives

支給対象の (shikyū-taishō-no)

給与 (kyūyo)

給付 (kyūfu)

供給 (kyōkyū)

配分 (haibun)

交付 (kōfu)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional, legal, and administrative contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 支給 for personal gifts. → あげる (ageru) or プレゼントする (purezento suru).
支給 is strictly for institutional or organizational provision.
Confusing 支給 with 至急 in writing. → Check the kanji: 支給 (provision) vs 至急 (urgent).
They are homophones; context and kanji are the only way to distinguish them.
Using 支給 for utilities like electricity. → 供給 (kyōkyū).
Utilities are 'supplied' (供給) to a market/infrastructure, not 'provided' (支給) as an individual benefit.
Using 支給 for issuing a passport. → 交付 (kōfu).
Official documents are 'issued' (交付), not 'provided' as a benefit (支給).
Using 支給 for a friend paying you back. → 返す (kaesu) or 払う (harau).
Repayment between individuals does not use the institutional word 支給.

Tips

Passive Voice

In Japanese business, the passive form '支給される' is extremely common because it focuses on the recipient's status within the system.

Commuting Culture

Always look for '交通費支給' in job ads. Because commuting is expensive in Japan, this is a standard and expected benefit.

Email Etiquette

When asking about your expenses, use '支給' to sound respectful and professional. It shows you understand the company's administrative process.

Compound Power

Mastering compounds like 支給日 (payment date) and 支給額 (payment amount) will help you read any Japanese payslip.

Kanji Confusion

Don't mix up 支給 (provision) and 至急 (urgent). They sound the same, but 'Urgent Payment' and 'Provision' are different concepts!

Office Supplies

If you need a new pen or notebook, you might ask if they are '支給品' or if you need to buy them yourself.

Labor Law

The term 支給 is used in legal documents to define what an employer is 'obligated' to provide to an employee.

Bonus Season

In June and December, you will hear '賞与の支給' (provision of bonuses) everywhere in Japan.

Government Support

During economic crises, the phrase '給付金の支給' (provision of benefits) becomes a major news topic.

Institutional Flow

Always visualize the flow from an Organization to an Individual when you think of 支給.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Shi' as 'Shielding' someone's needs and 'Kyū' as 'Queueing' up the supplies. You provide (支給) a shield of supplies to your team.

Visual Association

Imagine an HR manager handing a 'Supplied' (支給) laptop across a desk to a new employee. The laptop has a 'Property of Company' sticker on it.

Word Web

Salary Benefits Laptop Uniform Allowance Government Company Provision

Challenge

Try to find the word 支給 on a Japanese job recruitment website like Indeed Japan or TownWork. Look for what items are being 'provided'.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two kanji: 支 (shi) meaning 'support' or 'branch', and 給 (kyū) meaning 'supply' or 'salary'. Together, they describe the act of supporting someone by supplying what they need.

Original meaning: To provide support or sustenance to someone in a lower position or under one's care.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'shikyū' of social welfare, as it can be a sensitive political topic regarding government spending.

In English-speaking countries, we often say 'The company provides...' or 'The company pays for...', but we don't have a single specific word that covers both money and equipment as formally as 支給.

Used frequently in Japanese dramas like 'Hanzawa Naoki' when discussing bank funds. Common in news reports about the 'Special Fixed-sum Cash Benefit' during COVID-19. Appears in the 'Labor Standards Act' of Japan.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hiring/Recruitment

交通費全額支給
社会保険完備
制服支給
賞与年2回支給

Company HR

支給日の変更
支給額の確認
支給基準の改定
支給品の手配

Government/Welfare

給付金の支給
年金の受給
支給停止の通知
申請書の提出

Accounting

経費の支給
立替金の精算
支給明細書
給与の振込

Legal/Contracts

支給義務
不当支給
支給対象者
支給期間の定め

Conversation Starters

"あなたの会社では、どのような手当が支給されていますか？ (What kind of allowances are provided at your company?)"

"交通費は全額支給されますか？ (Is the transportation fee fully provided?)"

"新しい支給品は何ですか？ (What are the new items that were provided?)"

"ボーナスの支給日はいつですか？ (When is the bonus payment date?)"

"リモートワークの手当が支給されることになりましたか？ (Has it been decided that a remote work allowance will be provided?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、会社から支給されたものについて書いてください。 (Write about the things provided by your company today.)

理想的な会社の支給制度について説明してください。 (Describe an ideal company provision system.)

政府からの給付金が支給されたら、何に使いたいですか？ (If benefits were provided by the government, what would you want to use them for?)

支給品を失くしてしまった時の状況を想像して書いてください。 (Imagine and write about a situation where you lost a provided item.)

「現物支給」と「現金支給」、どちらが良いと思いますか？ (Which do you think is better: payment in kind or payment in cash?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 支給 is too formal and institutional. For a birthday gift, use 'ageru' (to give) or 'okuru' (to send/present). Using 支給 would make it sound like the gift is a mandatory company requirement.

No, it can also refer to physical goods like laptops, uniforms, or smartphones provided by a company for work purposes.

払う (harau) is the general verb for 'to pay'. 支給 (shikyū) is a formal noun/verb specifically for institutional provision. You 'pay' for a coffee, but a company 'provides' (支給) your salary.

Yes! It means the company will pay for your train or bus commute, which can save you a lot of money in Japan.

You can say '支給が遅れています' (Shikyū ga okurete imasu).

It is a 'provided item,' such as a company-issued mobile phone or a specific tool you need for your job.

Yes, the government uses 支給 for welfare payments, pensions, and disaster relief funds.

It is 'payment in kind,' meaning you are given actual goods instead of cash for your work or as a benefit.

Usually, yes. Items like laptops and keys are provided for use during your employment and remain company property.

給付 (kyūfu) is often used for insurance or legal benefits, while 支給 is a broader term for any institutional provision including salary and equipment.