Translation guide
In Japanese culture, monetary offerings are common at temples, shrines, funerals, and other ceremonial occasions. The way money is offered—how it is wrapped, the amount, and the specific term used—depends heavily on the context and the relationship between giver and receiver.
Money offered when visiting a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple, typically thrown into an offering box.
The standard term for money offered at a shrine or temple. It is thrown into the offering box (賽銭箱) before praying.
神社で賽銭を入れてお参りした。
I made a monetary offering and prayed at the shrine.
Polite form of 賽銭, commonly used in everyday speech.
お賽銭をいくら入れればいいですか？
How much should I offer?
Money given to the bereaved family at a Japanese funeral or wake, placed in a special envelope.
Condolence money offered at a funeral or wake. It is placed in a special black-and-white or silver envelope (香典袋) and handed to the receptionist.
香典はいくら包めばいいですか？
How much condolence money should I give?
Polite form of 香典, often used when speaking to the bereaved family or in formal writing.
御香典をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your condolence offering.
Money given as a gift for weddings, births, or other happy occasions, presented in a special decorative envelope.
General term for monetary gifts given at celebrations, especially weddings. The money is placed in a special red-and-white or gold envelope (ご祝儀袋).
結婚式のご祝儀は３万円が相場です。
The standard monetary gift for a wedding is 30,000 yen.
A broader term for celebratory gifts, including money. When referring specifically to money, it is often used as お祝い金 (おいわいきん).
出産祝いにお祝い金を贈った。
I gave a monetary gift for the birth of the baby.
Money given to a priest for performing a memorial service or sutra chanting, often placed in a special envelope.
An offering made to a Buddhist priest or temple, typically for a funeral, memorial service, or sutra chanting. It is considered a donation to support the temple.
法要のお布施を用意する。
Prepare the offering for the memorial service.
The same as お布施 but without the honorific prefix. Used in more formal or written contexts.
Small amounts of money placed on the home Buddhist altar as an offering to ancestors.
Money offered in front of the family Buddhist altar (仏壇). It is often placed in a small envelope or simply on the altar.
毎朝、お仏前にお賽銭をあげる。
Every morning, I make a small offering at the family altar.
A broader term for any monetary contribution, not necessarily religious.
General term for a donation or contribution of money. Can be used for charities, crowdfunding, or other non-religious contexts.
災害支援のために寄付をした。
I made a donation for disaster relief.
A casual term for a collection of money among a group, often for a party or a gift. Derived from 'campaign'.
The English phrase 'monetary offering' is not a single Japanese word. The appropriate term depends on the context: shrine/temple (賽銭), funeral (香典), celebration (ご祝儀), or Buddhist service (お布施). Using the wrong term can be awkward or disrespectful.
In Japan, how you present the money is as important as the amount. Use the correct envelope (のし袋) for celebrations, and a plain or mourning envelope for funerals. Bills should be crisp and new for celebrations, but used for funerals.
An offering is an expression of gratitude.
Collect money for the farewell party.