French is a major language spoken by approximately 300 million people worldwide, and there is significant demand for French translation across business, academic, legal, and tourism contexts. Yet many people find themselves wondering where to order French translation or how pricing differs between Japanese-to-French and French-to-Japanese translations.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of French translation pricing, how to choose a provider, and recommended services. Learn the cost differences between Japanese-to-French and French-to-Japanese translation to find the ideal translation partner.
French translation costs vary significantly depending on the document volume and type, as well as the translation direction. Let’s start with the basic pricing structure.
Translating from Japanese to French typically costs 10 to 20 yen per Japanese character. Per standard manuscript page (400 characters), general documents (letters, pamphlets) cost 3,000 to 5,000 yen, specialized documents (business papers, academic theses) cost 4,000 to 6,500 yen, and official documents (contracts, applications, certificates) cost 5,000 to 8,000 yen.
Some translation companies charge 20 to 30+ yen per character, with contract and patent documents reaching up to 34–35 yen. When ordering French translation, whether the provider has native French proofreaders directly impacts quality — so don't judge by price alone.
French-to-Japanese translation is generally priced per French word, at 15 to 25 yen per word. Per manuscript page equivalent (approximately 180 words), general documents cost 2,000 to 3,500 yen, specialized documents 2,500 to 4,000 yen, and official documents 3,000 to 4,500 yen.
French-to-Japanese rates tend to be slightly lower overall compared to Japanese-to-French, as Japanese-to-Japanese translation can often be handled by Japanese native speakers. However, highly specialized fields may see rates of 25 to 35 yen per word.
The basic formula is source volume multiplied by per-character (or per-word) rate, but several factors cause variation. Document specialization is a key factor — general emails and letters are cheaper, while legal, medical, financial, and technical documents command higher rates. Deadline urgency adds rush charges, with some companies applying a 25% premium per business day shortened.
Minimum charges also apply at many companies, typically around 10,000 to 11,000 yen. Even small-volume French translations may be subject to this minimum, so confirm the policy before ordering.
French translation providers fall into several categories, each with distinct characteristics. Understanding these will help you match the right provider to your needs.
For maximum quality and reliability, professional translation companies are the safest choice. They typically have native French translators handle the work with separate proofreaders conducting quality checks. This double-check system is essential for contracts, patents, and medical documents. Leading companies include Amit, WIP Japan, Cross Index, and JOHO, all of which offer free quotes.
For cost savings on less formal content, crowdsourcing platforms like Coconala and Lancers allow you to directly hire individual translators — Japanese speakers living in French-speaking countries or French natives fluent in Japanese — often at lower rates than translation companies. However, quality depends on the individual, so always review portfolios and ratings before ordering.
Platforms like Gengo and Speed Translation allow you to order conveniently online, with some offering 24/7 service. This makes them ideal for urgent projects or orders placed outside business hours.
AI translation tools like Google Translate and DeepL are useful for getting a general understanding of French content or creating internal reference materials. However, French has complex grammar rules including noun gender, verb conjugation, and tense usage that make AI-generated translations prone to errors. Professional human translation remains essential for externally published or formal business documents.
When selecting a French translation provider, focus on four key areas: field expertise and track record, native-speaker review processes, pricing transparency (including minimum charges, rush fees, and DTP costs), and delivery flexibility with clear rush-pricing policies.
Here are five recommended providers: Amit offers broad multi-language coverage with transparent difficulty-based pricing and a minimum charge of 11,000 yen (tax included). WIP Japan has extensive European language translation experience with detailed pricing published online. JOHO provides clear per-100-character rates by difficulty level with native review included. Cross Index excels at rush orders with a clear 25% per-day rush fee structure. OCiETe offers both translation and interpretation services from 1,000+ registered professionals, with hourly interpretation bookings available.
French translation tends to be more expensive than some other European languages due to a relatively limited pool of translators. Plan your budget accordingly. Also note that French varies by region — France, Canada (Quebec), Belgium, and francophone Africa each have distinct vocabulary and nuances. Clearly specifying your target region will result in more appropriate translations.
For confidential business documents and contracts, always check whether the provider can sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
French translation pricing ranges from 3,000 to 8,000 yen per manuscript page for Japanese-to-French and 2,000 to 4,500 yen for French-to-Japanese. French enjoys high translation demand with diverse provider options including translation companies, crowdsourcing, and online services.
Whether translating into or from French, quality depends on native-speaker review and translator expertise. Start by requesting quotes from multiple services and compare cost, quality, and delivery timelines to find the optimal partner.
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