1.
cancellation fee; early termination charge
A fee charged when a contract is cancelled before its agreed term, common with mobile phone plans, rental agreements, and subscriptions.
解約金がかかる。
A cancellation fee applies.
途中で解約すると解約金が必要だ。
If you cancel partway through, a cancellation fee is required.
契約期間が終われば解約金なしで解約できる。
Once the contract period ends, you can cancel without any termination charge.
Formed from 解約 (cancellation of a contract) + 金 (money, fee). Most often encountered with phone carriers, internet providers, and rental contracts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 解約金が発生する: a cancellation fee is incurred
- 解約金を払う: to pay a cancellation fee
- 解約金なし: no cancellation fee
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 違約金: penalty for breach of contract — broader; a penalty for not honoring contract terms, not only for cancelling
- 手数料: handling fee — a general service charge, not tied to cancellation