有料（ゆうりょう、yuuryoう）
- paid

The Japanese word 有料 means "paid," "charged," or "fee-based." It indicates that a service, product, or access requires payment. It’s used to specify that something isn't free. 有料 services typically come with a cost, either monetary or some other form of compensation.

⚫︎ 有料駐車場 Translation: Paid parking ⚫︎ 有料アプリ Translation: Paid app ⚫︎ 有料道路 Translation: Toll road

You use 有料 when referring to something that has a cost associated with it. You might see it on signs, advertisements, or in conversations to clarify that something isn't free. It’s important to understand this word to avoid misunderstandings about pricing or access requirements. For instance, if you see "有料" next to a service, be prepared to pay.

有料 is primarily written in kanji, and the reading is ゆうりょう. ⚫︎ Kanji: 有料 ⚫︎ Hiragana: ゆうりょう ⚫︎ Katakana: Usually not used. There are no variations in okurigana. It is always written as 有料.

⚫︎ 料金がかかる (ryoukin ga kakaru) - to cost a fee ⚫︎ 料金制 (ryoukinki) - fee system ⚫︎ 課金 (kakin) - charging (in context of apps and games)

⚫︎ 無料 (muryou) - free of charge ⚫︎ ただ (tada) - free (casual)

この映画は有料ですか、それとも無料ですか？ ・Translation: Is this movie paid or free? ・Explanation: This sentence asks whether the movie requires a fee or not. The use of 有料 clearly indicates a cost is associated.

コンサートは有料ですが、素晴らしい演奏が楽しめます。 ・Translation: The concert is paid, but you can enjoy a wonderful performance. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that there is a fee, but highlights the value of the experience.

The word 有料 is composed of two kanji: 有 (yuu), meaning "to have" or "to exist," and 料 (ryou), meaning "fee," "charge," or "material." Together, they form "to have a fee" or "chargeable."