This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun #3,500 most common 4 min read

電気代

denkidai Top 3,500

When you're living in Japan, paying for utilities is a regular part of life. One important bill you'll encounter is the 電気代 (denkidai), which means 'electricity bill' or 'the cost for electricity usage.'

This term is essential for understanding your monthly expenses and managing your household budget. You'll see it on statements from your electricity provider and hear it in conversations about living costs.

Knowing 電気代 helps you discuss and understand charges related to your electricity consumption. It's a very practical word for everyday living in Japan.

When discussing household expenses in Japanese, you'll often encounter 電気代 (denkidai), which refers to the electricity bill or the cost of electricity. It's a compound word: 電気 (denki) meaning 'electricity' and 代 (dai) meaning 'cost' or 'charge.' Understanding this term is crucial for managing utilities or discussing living costs in Japan. You might hear it in conversations about monthly budgets or when comparing utility expenses. For example, if someone says 「今月の電気代が高い」 (kongetsu no denkidai ga takai), they mean 'This month's electricity bill is expensive.'

When discussing household expenses in Japanese, 電気代 (denkidai) is a crucial term to know. It directly translates to "electricity bill" or "electricity cost."

It's important to differentiate it from just "electricity" (電気 - denki), as 電気代 specifically refers to the financial aspect of electricity consumption.

You'll commonly use this word when talking about utility payments, budgeting, or even discussing energy conservation.

For example, if you want to say your electricity bill is high, you'd say 「電気代が高いです (Denkidai ga takai desu).」

When discussing household expenses in Japanese, you'll often encounter the term 電気代 (denkidai), which refers to the electricity bill. It's a compound word formed from 電気 (denki), meaning 'electricity,' and 代 (dai), meaning 'cost' or 'charge.' Understanding 電気代 is crucial for managing finances in Japan, as it's a regular monthly expenditure.

The cost typically depends on your usage and the contract you have with your electricity provider. While 料金 (ryōkin) is a general term for 'fees' or 'charges,' 電気代 specifically denotes the cost associated with electricity consumption. Therefore, when you receive a notice or discuss your utilities, you'll frequently hear 電気代 in reference to how much you owe for your power.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Let's look at how to use 電気代 (denkidai) in sentences. This word is a common noun, so it will often be used with particles that indicate its role in the sentence, such as the subject, object, or topic.

§ Basic Sentence Structure with 電気代

The most straightforward way to use 電気代 is by talking about the cost itself or actions related to it, like paying or checking. Remember, Japanese sentence order is generally Subject-Object-Verb (SOV).

電気代が高いです。

Hint: The electricity bill is expensive.

電気代を払いました。

Hint: I paid the electricity bill.

§ Discussing the Amount of 電気代

When you want to talk about how much the electricity bill is, you'll often combine 電気代 with adjectives or phrases that describe quantity or expense.

今月の電気代はいくらですか？

Hint: How much is this month's electricity bill?

電気代を節約したいです。

Hint: I want to save on the electricity bill.

§ Common Verbs Used with 電気代

Here are some verbs that frequently appear with 電気代:

払う (harau): to pay
かかる (kakaru): to cost (used for time or money)
上がる (agaru): to go up, to increase
下がる (sagaru): to go down, to decrease
節約する (setsuyaku suru): to save (money, resources)

冬は電気代がかかります。

Hint: Electricity costs money in winter. (Literally: Electricity bill takes/costs in winter.)

電気代が上がって困っています。

Hint: The electricity bill has gone up, and I'm troubled/in a difficult situation.

Understanding these common pairings will make it easier to express yourself when talking about household expenses in Japanese.

§ What is 電気代 (Denkidai)?

Japanese Word: 電気代 (でんきだい)

Romaji: Denkidai

Part of Speech: Noun

CEFR Level: B1

Definition: Electricity bill; the cost for electricity usage.

§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news

You'll encounter 電気代 (denkidai) quite often in daily life in Japan, especially when discussing household expenses, budgeting, or even environmental concerns. It's a very practical word to know and pops up in various contexts from casual conversations to more formal discussions.

At home, it's a constant topic. Families often talk about their monthly electricity consumption and how to reduce their 電気代. During hot summers or cold winters, when air conditioning or heating is used more, people will definitely be aware of the rising 電気代.

今月の電気代が高いですね。(Kagetsu no denkidai ga takai desu ne.)
Hint: This month's electricity bill is high, isn't it?

節電して電気代を安くしましょう。(Setsuden shite denkidai o yasuku shimashou.)
Hint: Let's save electricity and make the electricity bill cheaper.

In a work setting, especially in offices or businesses, managing utility costs is important. You might hear discussions about reducing company expenses, and 電気代 will certainly be part of that conversation. For example, turning off lights and computers when not in use is a common way to lower the 電気代 in an office.

会社の電気代を削減するために、できることはありますか？ (Kaisha no denkidai o sakugen suru tame ni, dekiru koto wa arimasu ka?)
Hint: Is there anything we can do to reduce the company's electricity bill?

Even at school, particularly in public announcements or environmental awareness campaigns, the concept of saving energy and thus reducing 電気代 can be brought up. Children are often taught about the importance of turning off lights when leaving a classroom.

In the news, 電気代 frequently makes headlines, especially when there are changes in energy prices, new government policies related to energy, or discussions about power shortages. You might hear news reports about rising electricity costs affecting households and businesses, or about initiatives to promote renewable energy to stabilize 電気代.

原油価格の高騰により、電気代が上昇する見込みです。(Gen'yu kakaku no kōtō ni yori, denkidai ga jōshō suru mikomi desu.)
Hint: Due to rising crude oil prices, electricity bills are expected to increase.

Understanding 電気代 is essential for anyone living in or following news about Japan. It's not just a term for a bill; it's a reflection of economic conditions, environmental awareness, and daily household management.

When discussing household budgets.
During conversations about energy conservation.
In news reports about utility costs or energy policy.
At work, when managing operational expenses.
In educational settings, promoting energy-saving habits.

Fun Fact

The character '代' (dai) is very versatile and can mean generations, substitute, or charge depending on context.

Examples by Level

電気代が高いですね。

The electricity bill is expensive, isn't it?

高い (takai) means 'expensive' or 'high'.

今月の電気代を払いました。

I paid this month's electricity bill.

今月 (kongetsu) means 'this month'.

電気代を節約したいです。

I want to save on electricity costs.

節約する (setsuyaku suru) means 'to save'.

電気代はいくらですか。

How much is the electricity bill?

いくら (ikura) means 'how much'.

電気代の請求書が届きました。

The electricity bill arrived.

請求書 (seikyūsho) means 'bill' or 'invoice'.

電気代が先月より安いです。

The electricity bill is cheaper than last month.

先月 (sengetsu) means 'last month'.

電気代を口座振替にしました。

I set up direct debit for the electricity bill.

口座振替 (kōza furikae) means 'bank transfer' or 'direct debit'.

電気代の支払い期限はいつですか。

When is the deadline for paying the electricity bill?

支払い期限 (shiharai kigen) means 'payment deadline'.

今月の電気代がいつもより高いです。

This month's electricity bill is higher than usual.

電気代を節約するために、エアコンの使用を控えています。

I'm reducing air conditioner use to save on electricity bills.

一人暮らしなので、電気代はそれほどかかりません。

Since I live alone, the electricity bill isn't that much.

電気代の支払いは毎月25日です。

The electricity bill payment is on the 25th of every month.

このアパートは電気代込みの家賃です。

The rent for this apartment includes the electricity bill.

先月は旅行で家を空けていたので、電気代が安かったです。

Last month I was away traveling, so the electricity bill was cheap.

電気代の請求書をどこに置いたか忘れてしまいました。

I forgot where I put the electricity bill.

電気代の滞納は、電力供給の停止につながることがあります。

Unpaid electricity bills can lead to a suspension of power supply.

Tips

Learn the components of 電気代

電気代 (denkidai) is a compound word. It combines 電気 (denki), meaning electricity, and 代 (dai), meaning cost or charge. Understanding these parts helps you remember the whole.

Contextualize 電気代 with utility bills

Just like in English, 'electricity bill' is one of many utility bills. Think about how you would say 'water bill' (水道代 - suidoudai) or 'gas bill' (ガス代 - gasudai) to see the pattern with 代 (dai).

Use flashcards for 電気代

Create a flashcard with 電気代 on one side and 'electricity bill' on the other. Include a simple sentence example to reinforce meaning and usage.

Practice sentences with 電気代

Try forming simple sentences like:
今月の電気代は高いです。(Kongetsu no denkidai wa takai desu.) - This month's electricity bill is expensive.
電気代を払う。(Denkidai o harau.) - To pay the electricity bill.

Listen for 電気代 in everyday Japanese

When watching Japanese dramas, anime, or listening to podcasts, pay attention to conversations about household expenses. You might hear 電気代 being mentioned.

Connect 電気代 to daily life actions

Think about actions related to an electricity bill: receiving it, checking it, paying it. This helps create mental connections.
電気代をチェックする。(Denkidai o chekku suru.) - To check the electricity bill.

Visualize the kanji in 電気代

電気 (denki) consists of 電 (den) for electricity and 気 (ki) for spirit/energy. 代 (dai) for cost/generation. Visualizing these can aid memory.

Don't confuse 電気代 with 電気料金

While very similar, 電気料金 (denkiryōkin) also means 'electricity charge/fee'. 電気代 is often more common in casual conversation for the bill itself, while 料金 can refer to the rate or specific charge.

Japanese billing cycles for 電気代

In Japan, utility bills like 電気代 are typically paid monthly. You might receive a paper bill or pay through automatic bank withdrawal.

Discussing high/low 電気代

When your 電気代 is high, you might say: 電気代が高いですね。(Denkidai ga takai desu ne.) - The electricity bill is high, isn't it? If it's low: 電気代が安いですね。(Denkidai ga yasui desu ne.) - The electricity bill is cheap, isn't it?

Word Origin

Comes from a combination of '電気' (denki) meaning electricity, and '代' (dai) meaning cost or charge.

Original meaning: The charge for electricity.

Sino-Japanese (電気) and native Japanese (代).

Cultural Context

In Japan, utility bills, including the electricity bill, are typically paid monthly. Payments can often be made at convenience stores, banks, or through automatic bank withdrawals. It's common for Japanese households to be mindful of electricity consumption, especially during peak seasons like summer and winter, to manage these costs.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Managing household expenses

今月の電気代が高いです。
電気代を節約したい。
電気代の請求書が届いた。

Discussing utility costs with roommates or family

電気代、今月いくらだった？
電気代は割り勘にしよう。
電気代の支払いをお願いします。

Comparing living costs in different areas or properties

このアパートは電気代が高いですか？
東京は電気代が高いと聞きました。
冬は電気代が上がりますね。

Talking about energy conservation

電気代のためにエアコンを控えめにしています。
節電は電気代の節約になります。
電気代を安くするために何をしていますか？

Dealing with apartment management or utility companies

電気代の支払い方法を教えてください。
電気代の滞納について。
電気会社に問い合わせました。

Conversation Starters

"最近、電気代が高くなったと感じませんか？"

"あなたの家では、電気代を節約するために何かしていますか？"

"一人暮らしの電気代の平均はどのくらいだと思いますか？"

"もし電気代が突然半額になったら、何をしたいですか？"

"電気代について、何か困った経験がありますか？"

Journal Prompts

今月の電気代を見て、どう感じましたか？その理由も教えてください。

電気代を節約するために、今日からできることを3つ挙げてください。そして、なぜそれを選んだのか説明してください。

もしあなたが電気会社の社長だったら、電気代についてどのようなサービスを提供したいですか？

電気代を払うことについて、あなたの考えを自由に書いてください。

過去に電気代が原因で困った経験があれば、その時のことを詳しく書いてください。

Test Yourself 18 questions

multiple choice B1

Choose the correct reading for 電気代:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: でんきだい

電気 (でんき) means electricity and 代 (だい) means cost or charge.

multiple choice B1

Which of these words is most similar in meaning to 電気代?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: ガス代 (Gas bill)

電気代 refers to a utility bill, similar to gas, water, and phone bills. 家賃 is rent.

multiple choice B1

What is the most common way to pay 電気代 in Japan?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: コンビニ (Convenience store)

Paying utility bills at convenience stores is very common in Japan.

true false B1

電気代 only refers to the cost of electricity for heating, not for cooling.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

電気代 refers to the overall cost of electricity usage, regardless of purpose (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.).

true false B1

If your 電気代 is high, it means you used a lot of electricity.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

電気代 is directly proportional to the amount of electricity consumed. More usage means a higher bill.

true false B1

You can usually pay your 電気代 once every six months.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

電気代 is typically paid monthly or bi-monthly, not every six months.

sentence order B1