Japanese word

債務

Pronunciation

Romajisaimu

Meaning

  • noundebt

Example

会社は債務を返済します。kai sha wa sai mu o hen sai shi ma su

The company repays its debt.

Illustration for 債務 (debt)

More examples

銀行は顧客の債務の返済計画を見直しました。gin kō wa ko kyaku no sai mu no hen sai kei kaku o mi nao shi ma shi ta

The bank revised a customer's debt repayment plan.

Core concept

Presents what someone or an organization must pay as an outstanding responsibility rather than as a completed payment.

Common phrases

  • 債務を返済するsai mu o hen sai su ru

    repay debt

  • 債務を抱えるsai mu o kaka e ru

    carry debt

  • 債務を負うsai mu o o u

    incur debt

  • 債務の返済sai mu no hen sai

    debt repayment

Similar words

借金shakkin: Money borrowed from a person or organization that must be repaid.
負債fusai: A financial obligation recorded as something a person or organization owes.

Definition in Japanese

借りた金銭などを返すべき責任や義務。ka ri ta kin sen na do o kae su be ki seki nin ya gi mu

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound combines 債 (sai, "debt") with 務 (mu, "duty"), linking an amount owed with a duty to settle it.

Usage tips

  • When discussing a company's finances, 債務 (saimu) can cover loans and other amounts owed, so it has a more formal range than everyday 借金 (shakkin).

Other meanings

  • obligationnoun
  • liabilitynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 債務者saimushadebtornoun

Word lists with this word