Skip to content
Kotomora

金

gold

JLPTN5StatusJōyō · grade 1FrequencyTop 100Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • キン
  • コン
  • ゴン

Kun'yomi

  • かね
  • かな-
  • -がね

Nanori

  • かん
  • きむ
  • こ
  • この
  • ん

Meaning

金 centers on the metal gold, both as a material and as a symbol of value. It is the core idea behind money and metallic things in general.

Most common words using 金

24 of 1,507
  • 金かね
    N4

    money

  • 金きん
    N2

    gold (metal)

  • お金おかね
    N5

    money

  • 資金しきん
    N2

    funds; capital

  • 金融きんゆう
    N2

    finance; financing; credit transacting; loaning of money; circulation of money

  • 料金りょうきん
    N3

    fee; charge; fare

  • 現金げんきん
    N4

    cash; ready money; money on hand; currency

  • 金属きんぞく
    N2

    metal

  • 金持ちかねもち
    N4

    rich person; wealthy person

  • 金額きんがく
    N4

    amount of money; sum

  • 借金しゃっきん
    N3

    debt; loan; liabilities; borrowing money

  • 年金ねんきん
    N2

    annuity; pension

  • 金曜日きんようび
    N5

    Friday

  • 金曜きんよう
    N3

    Friday

  • 黄金おうごん
    N1

    gold (Au)

  • 黄金こがね

    gold

  • 税金ぜいきん
    N3

    tax; duty

  • 貯金ちょきん
    N4

    putting money aside; savings; deposit (e.g. in a bank)

  • 賃金ちんぎん
    N1

    wages; pay

  • 賞金しょうきん
    N2

    prize money; monetary award; reward

  • 金銭きんせん
    N3

    money; cash

  • 金髪きんぱつ

    blond hair; blonde hair; golden hair

  • 金利きんり
    N1

    interest rate; interest

  • 返金へんきん
    N2

    refund; repayment; reimbursement

Explore all words using 金 →

Study

Etymology

金 originally depicted metal pieces in the ground, with the top representing a cover or roof and the lower part showing nuggets or ingots. The modern form retains this general structure.

Meaning mnemonic

The top looks like a roof covering something valuable, and the lower part shows shiny nuggets or bars. Together they form the image of gold hidden under a shelter.

Reading mnemonic

For キン, imagine a king's golden crown: king -> キン, and the crown is made of pure gold.