報酬
A payment or reward given in exchange for work, services, or an achievement. It often refers to professional fees or remuneration, but can also describe an abstract reward for one's efforts.
Examples
3 of 5お手伝いの報酬にお菓子をもらった。
I received sweets as a reward for helping out.
調査の報酬として、謝礼金をお支払いします。
We will pay an honorarium as remuneration for the investigation.
報酬はピザでいい?
Is pizza okay as a reward?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the first kanji 'Hō' (報) which means 'to report' or 'repay', and 'Shū' (酬) which means 'recompense'. You get 'Hōshū' when your work 'report' is finished!
Quick Quiz
彼は素晴らしい仕事をしたので、高い___を受け取った。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 報酬
Examples
お手伝いの報酬にお菓子をもらった。
everydayI received sweets as a reward for helping out.
調査の報酬として、謝礼金をお支払いします。
formalWe will pay an honorarium as remuneration for the investigation.
報酬はピザでいい?
informalIs pizza okay as a reward?
心理学的実験において、金銭的報酬は動機づけに影響する。
academicIn psychological experiments, monetary rewards influence motivation.
コンサルティング業務の報酬について相談したい。
businessI would like to discuss the fees for the consulting services.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
労働の報酬
reward for labor
期待通りの報酬
reward as expected
成功報酬制
success fee system
Often Confused With
Kyūryō refers specifically to a monthly salary from an employer, while hōshū is broader, covering one-time fees for professional tasks.
Orei is a general token of gratitude (gift or money), whereas hōshū implies a contractual or expected payment for a service.
Usage Notes
It is commonly used in business contracts to define the 'fee' for professional services like those of a lawyer or freelancer. It can also be used for psychological or biological 'rewards' (like dopamine).
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'kyūryō' when they are actually talking about a freelance fee; for independent professional work, 'hōshū' is the more appropriate term.
Memory Tip
Think of the first kanji 'Hō' (報) which means 'to report' or 'repay', and 'Shū' (酬) which means 'recompense'. You get 'Hōshū' when your work 'report' is finished!
Word Origin
Derived from Sino-Japanese roots where '報' (hō) means to requite or repay, and '酬' (shū) means to return a toast or compensate.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Japanese business culture, discussing 'hōshū' (fees) upfront is becoming more common, though traditionally it was sometimes considered polite to wait for the client to offer an 'orei' (honorarium) first.
Quick Quiz
彼は素晴らしい仕事をしたので、高い___を受け取った。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 報酬
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
発着
A1Refers to the act of departing and arriving, specifically used for vehicles like trains, buses, and airplanes at a specific terminal or station. It combines the kanji for 'start/emit' (発) and 'arrive/wear' (着) to describe the full cycle of transport movement.
下車
A1The act of getting off or alighting from a vehicle such as a train, bus, or car. It is a formal Sino-Japanese compound used in announcements and written signs, whereas 'oriru' is used in daily speech.
航空券
A1An airline ticket or electronic document issued by an airline or travel agency that entitles the bearer to a seat on a flight. It serves as proof of purchase and is required to receive a boarding pass at the airport.
芸術
A1Art refers to the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. It encompasses a wide range of human activities and products, including music, literature, and performance.
美術
A1Bijutsu refers specifically to the fine arts, particularly visual arts such as painting, sculpture, and calligraphy. It is the standard term used to describe art as a school subject or the collection of works found in a gallery.
絵画
A1Kaiga refers to a painting or a pictorial work of art. It is a formal term often used to describe works found in museums or galleries, as opposed to casual sketches or photographs.
彫刻
A1A three-dimensional work of art created by shaping or combining materials such as stone, wood, metal, or clay. It refers both to the finished object (a sculpture) and the artistic process of carving or modeling.
工芸
A1Kōgei refers to the art of creating functional and decorative objects through skilled manual labor and craftsmanship. It typically bridges the gap between fine art and practical utility, often involving materials like wood, clay, lacquer, or metal.
陶芸
A1The art or craft of making pottery and ceramics by shaping clay and firing it at high temperatures. It encompasses both the creative process and the resulting artistic pieces used in daily life or exhibitions.
書道
A1The Japanese art of calligraphy, often performed with a brush and ink. It is considered a path to spiritual refinement and artistic expression through the stylized writing of characters.
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