“To pay” in Japanese is 払う (はらう), pronounced harau.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To pay. Paying by card is カードで払う.
Example sentences
- カードで払えますか。カードではらえますか。Can I pay by card?
- 私が払います。わたしがはらいます。I’ll pay.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 払う. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 払う はらう | pay |
| Polite present | 払います はらいます | pay |
| Polite negative | 払いません はらいません | don’t pay |
| Polite past | 払いました はらいました | past of “pay” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 払わない はらわない | don’t pay (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 払った はらった | past of “pay” (casual) |
| て-form | 払って はらって | pay and… / please pay (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 払いたい はらいたい | want to pay |
Quick practice
Test yourself0/3
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to pay in Japanese?
To pay in Japanese is 払う (はらう), pronounced “harau”.
How do you write to pay in Japanese?
It's written 払う with kanji, or はらう in hiragana. Both are read harau.
Is 払う on the JLPT?
Yes. 払う (harau) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.