Meaning and Usage
The word 関税 (かんぜい) refers to customs duties or tariffs imposed on imported goods. It is a formal term commonly used in economics, trade, and government contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often see 関税 used when discussing international trade policies, import/export regulations, and economic agreements. It typically appears in news articles, official documents, and business conversations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 関税をかける: to impose a tariff
- 関税を引き下げる: to reduce tariffs
- 関税を撤廃する: to abolish tariffs
- 関税率: tariff rate
These collocations are essential for discussing changes in trade policy or economic impact.
Register and Nuance
関税 is a formal noun and is rarely used in casual conversation unless the topic is related to economics or trade. When speaking informally, people might use simpler expressions like 税金 (ぜいきん) for taxes in general.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 関税 with 税金 (tax) in general. Remember, 関税 specifically refers to taxes on imports and exports, not all taxes. Using it correctly shows a good understanding of trade-related vocabulary.