頭金
Meanings
1
Refers to the initial lump-sum payment made when purchasing something on credit or with a loan, especially for real estate or large items.
When buying a house, you need to prepare a down payment.
If you put down a larger down payment, your monthly repayments become easier.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉に頭金を払うto pay a down payment on something
I paid a down payment on the new car.
- 頭金を入れるto put down a deposit (on a loan purchase)
I put down a deposit to buy the condo.
- 頭金なしで〈物〉を買うto buy something with no down payment
It's also possible to buy a house with no down payment.
- 頭金を用意するto save up / prepare a down payment
It took two years to save up the down payment.