小銭
Meanings
1
small change; coins; pocket change
Refers to coins of low denomination, typically used for small purchases or as loose change.
There is a lot of small change in my wallet.
I used coins at the vending machine.
2
small sum of money; trifling amount
Used figuratively for a small, often insignificant amount of money, not necessarily coins.
To him, it's a trifling amount of money.
Usage patterns
- 小銭を崩すto break a bill into small change
I had the thousand-yen bill broken into small change.
- 小銭を稼ぐto earn a little pocket money
I earn a bit of pocket money doing part-time work in my free time.
- 小銭がないto have no small change on hand
I wanted to use the vending machine, but I had no change.
- 小銭で払うto pay in small change
I paid the bus fare in small change.
- 小銭を貯めるto save up loose change
I'm saving up loose change in a piggy bank.