Translation guide
The English word 'money' is a broad concept. In Japanese, the most common and neutral word is お金 (おかね). However, there are many other words and expressions depending on context, formality, and nuance. This guide covers the most useful ways to talk about money in Japanese.
The most common, everyday word for money in a neutral sense.
The standard, polite word for money. Used in almost all everyday situations. The prefix お adds politeness; the base word is 金 (かね), but お金 is much more common.
お金が足りない。
I don't have enough money.
お金を貸してください。
Please lend me some money.
The base word for money, but without the polite prefix. It can sound blunt or rough, so it's often used in casual speech among friends, or in compound words. Be careful with tone.
金がない。
I have no money. (casual/blunt)
Loanword from English. Used in business, finance, or trendy contexts, but not in everyday conversation about personal finances.
マネー管理が大切だ。
Money management is important.
Specifically referring to physical currency (bills and coins).
Means 'cash' as opposed to credit cards or digital payments. Commonly used in stores and everyday situations.
現金で払います。
I'll pay in cash.
現金を持っていません。
I don't have any cash on me.
Specifically means paper money (bills). The prefix お is polite; the base is 札 (さつ).
Means 'small change' or 'coins'. Useful when you need coins for a vending machine or parking meter.
Referring to the currency of a country, or the concept of money as a unit.
Means 'currency' in a formal or economic sense. Used when talking about exchange rates, monetary policy, etc.
日本の通貨は円です。
The currency of Japan is the yen.
The Japanese yen. Use this when specifying amounts in yen.
これは1000円です。
This is 1000 yen.
Money as a resource, often in formal or organizational contexts.
Means 'funds' or 'capital'. Used for business, projects, or large sums of money.
資金が不足している。
We are short of funds.
Means 'cost' or 'expense'. Often used when talking about the money needed for something.
Money given regularly for personal expenses, especially to children.
Pocket money or allowance. The prefix お is polite; the base is 小遣い (こづかい). Commonly used for children's allowance or personal spending money.
毎月お小遣いをもらっている。
I get an allowance every month.
Money earned from work or investments.
The act of saving money or the saved money itself.
Savings or saving money. Can refer to the act of saving or the saved amount.
毎月少しずつ貯金している。
I save a little money every month.
Expressions for not having enough money or being in financial difficulty.
In English, we often say 'money' where Japanese uses more specific terms. For example, 'I need money for the bus' is more naturally 「バス代が必要だ」 (I need the bus fare) rather than 「バスのためにお金が必要だ」. Using お金 in such cases is not wrong, but can sound slightly unnatural or overly general.
When counting money, use the counter 円 (えん) for yen. For other currencies, use the generic counter つ or the specific currency name. Example: 1000円 (せんえん), 10ドル (じゅうどる).
In bills, please. (e.g., when withdrawing money)
I have a lot of coins.
How much is the cost of the trip?
給料日はいつですか。
When is payday?