How to say "deadline" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 締め切りしめきりnounThe everyday word for a deadline as a cut-off: the date by which a manuscript, application, or entry must be handed in, after which it is no longer accepted.
- 締め切り日しめきりびnounThe same cut-off as 締め切り, but pinned to the day itself: the closing day on which a deadline falls, as when a notice states the exact date something closes.
- 納期のうきnounA business word: the appointed date by which goods must be delivered or a payment made. Outside delivery and payment it is not the word for a general deadline.
- 期限きげんnounThe general word for a time limit: the point by which something must be done or paid, or after which it no longer holds. It fits deadline senses broadly and is a safe default.
- 期日きじつnounClosest to 'due date': a fixed, appointed day on which something falls due. For the everyday sense of 'deadline' it is seldom the word you want; 締め切り or 期限 usually serve better.
Use 「締め切り」 for a submission cut-off, 「締め切り日」 for that cut-off as a specific day, 納期 for delivery or payment deadlines, 期限 for time limits generally, and 期日 for a fixed due date.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 締め切りしめきりdeadline
- 締め切り日しめきりびtime limit
- 納期のうきappointed date of delivery
- デッドラインdeadline
- 締め日しめびdeadline
- けつかっちんdeadline (esp. in the entertainment industry)
- 提出期限ていしゅつきげん(submission) deadline
- 期限きげんtime limit
- 期日きじつdeadline
- 死線しせんdeadline (boundary around a prison which prisoners were not allowed to cross)
- 締めしめdeadline
- 日ひdate
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
