Meaning and Usage
"ボーナス" refers primarily to a monetary bonus, often given by companies to employees as a reward or incentive, typically twice a year in Japan. It is a loanword from English and is widely used in business and everyday conversation.
Common Contexts
This word is most commonly used when talking about salary bonuses, year-end bonuses, or special extra payments. It can also be used in casual contexts to talk about any kind of extra reward or prize.
Collocations and Patterns
- ボーナスが出る: to receive a bonus (common phrase when companies announce bonuses)
- ボーナスをもらう: to get a bonus
- ボーナス支給日: bonus payment day
- ボーナスが多い／少ない: bonus is large/small
Register and Nuance
"ボーナス" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal situations. It is often used in workplace conversations and financial discussions. Because it is a loanword, it sounds modern and businesslike.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "ボーナス" with "賞与" (しょうよ), which is a more formal term for bonus used in official documents. "ボーナス" is more common in spoken language. Avoid using "ボーナス" to refer to bonuses in non-monetary contexts, as it specifically implies money.