Japanese word

借金

Pronunciation

Romajishakkin

Meaning

  • noundebt

Example

借金を返します。shak kin o kae shi ma su

I will repay my debt.

Illustration for 借金 (debt)

More examples

借金をする前に、毎月の返済額を確認します。shak kin o su ru mae ni mai tsuki no hen sai gaku o kaku nin shi ma su

Before borrowing money, I check the monthly repayment amount.

Core concept

Centers on funds received for temporary use with a responsibility to repay them later.

Common phrases

  • 借金をするshak kin o su ru

    borrow money

  • 借金を返すshak kin o kae su

    repay a debt

  • 借金を抱えるshak kin o kaka e ru

    be in debt

Similar words

借りkari: An amount owed after borrowing money from a person in an informal arrangement.
ローンrōn: Money lent under an agreed plan for repayment, often for a major purchase.

Definition in Japanese

借りた相手に返す義務を負っている金銭。ka ri ta ai te ni kae su gi mu o o tte i ru kin sen

Word origin

借金 (shakkin) is formed from 借 (shaku, "borrow") and 金 (kin, "money"), describing money that must be returned after it is borrowed.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 借金 (shakkin) is used for money owed to a person as well as to a bank, so it is not limited to formal finance.

Other meanings

  • loannoun

Word lists with this word