also: ぜんきん
noun
advance payment; money paid in advance
Refers to payment made before receiving goods or services, such as a deposit or upfront fee.
前金で半額を支払った。
I paid half in advance.
前金制のため、予約時に料金が発生します。
Because it's a prepayment system, charges apply at the time of booking.
Compound of 前 (まえ, 'before') and 金 (きん, 'money'). The reading ぜんきん uses the on'yomi of both characters.