Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common word for 'banknote' is お札 (おさつ), but the formal term is 紙幣 (しへい). The specific word used can depend on context, such as everyday conversation versus official documents.
The learner wants to refer to paper money in daily life, such as when paying at a store or talking about cash.
The most common and natural word for 'banknote' in everyday conversation. The honorific prefix お makes it polite and standard.
I'd like a 10,000 yen bill, please.
Can you break this bill for me?
A more casual, shorter form of お札. Often used in compounds like 千円札 (せんえんさつ, 1000-yen bill).
I only have 1000-yen bills.
The formal term for 'banknote' or 'paper money'. Used in official contexts, news, or when contrasting with coins (硬貨, こうか).
New banknotes have been issued.
The learner wants to refer to a banknote of a particular value, like a 1000-yen bill.
Attach 円札 (えんさつ) to the amount to specify a bill of that denomination. Common for 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 yen.
I handed over a 5000-yen bill.
You don't see 2000-yen bills very often.
A more formal version using 紙幣 (しへい). Often used in official descriptions.
The design of the new 10,000-yen banknote was announced.
The learner wants to talk about banknotes from other countries, like dollars or euros.
Used for foreign banknotes as well, often with the country name or currency. お札 can also be used but is slightly more casual.
I want to exchange dollar bills for euros.
Acceptable in casual conversation about foreign money, but 紙幣 is safer in formal settings.
お札 is the standard word in daily life. 紙幣 is more formal and often used in writing, news, or official contexts. When in doubt, お札 is safe for conversation.
I don't have a single bill in my wallet.
The Bank of Japan issues banknotes.
When counting bills, use the counter 枚 (まい). For example, 一枚 (いちまい, one bill), 二枚 (にまい, two bills).
Please give me three 1000-yen bills.
アメリカのお札は全部同じサイズだね。
American bills are all the same size, aren't they?