1.
paying on someone's behalf (to be reimbursed later); advance payment; paying and seeking reimbursement
Paying a bill or expense out of one's own pocket on behalf of another party, with the understanding that the money will be paid back later. Common in company expense reporting, where employees pay for business expenses up front and submit receipts for reimbursement.
As a rule, accommodation costs during business trips are paid up front by the employee.
Composed of 立替え (advancing money; covering a payment for someone, from the verb 立て替える) + 払い (payment, from 払う "to pay"; voiced to ばらい in the compound). A standard business-expense word used in company rules, receipts, and reimbursement forms.
Common collocations
- 立替え払いをする: to make a payment on someone else's behalf
- 立替え払いの精算: reimbursement of advance payments
- 立替え払い申請書: advance-payment reimbursement request form
- 立替え払い金: the money paid on someone's behalf
- 交通費の立替え払い: out-of-pocket payment for transportation costs
Similar words
- 立替え: advancing / covering payment — the general noun; 立替え払い is more specific, emphasizing the payment act itself.
- 精算: settling accounts; reconciling — the reimbursement step that closes out a 立替え払い.
- 経費精算: expense reimbursement / expense report — the whole process of submitting receipts and getting paid back.
- 仮払い: payment on account / advance from the company — the opposite flow, where the company gives you money up front before you spend it.
Cultural note
In Japanese companies, employees are commonly expected to pay business expenses out of their own pocket and submit receipts later to be reimbursed. This contrasts with systems based on corporate cards or cash advances. Electronic workflow systems in many companies include a 立替え払い申請 (out-of-pocket payment request) screen that employees fill in with the date, purpose, amount, and receipt image.